Aboitiz, Iloilo City plan P5 billion water supply project

MANILA, Philippines — Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC) yesterday said its planned P5.12-billion bulk water supply project with the Iloilo City government will bring multiple operators into the city’s water system, a move seen as improving the reliability, accountability, and service delivery for households and businesses.

AIC said that by engaging multiple operators, the project creates built-in redundancy, allowing the system to continue functioning even if one provider experiences operational disruptions.

The firm said the multi-operator approach encourages collaboration while reducing the risk of service interruptions for households and businesses.

It added that such a system also builds a resilient, sustainable infrastructure where all stakeholders benefit, with consumers as the primary winners.

“We see the Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project as a critical step in building a more resilient and future-ready Iloilo,” AIC president and CEO Cosette Canilao said.

“By working closely with public and private stakeholders, we aim to create a water infrastructure system that not only meets today’s needs but also supports the city’s growth and competitiveness in the years ahead,” she added.

The unsolicited public-private partnership (PPP) is expected to treat and deliver 86 million liters of water per day to several city off-takers, including distribution companies.

Raw water will be diverted from identified sources to a central treatment facility before being distributed to the off-takers.

A project brief provided by AIC to The STAR indicates that the water will be sourced from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II or other “viable surface water sources.”

The concession period spans a total of 33 years, including three years allocated for construction.

Earlier in May, AIC announced it has secured the original proponent status (OPS), meaning it is recognized as the initial developer of the Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Project.

This status gives AIC priority in negotiating the public-private partnership, subject to the full competitive selection process.