Vivant boosts stake in Palawan wastewater plant

CEBU, Philippines — Vivant Hydrocore Holdings Inc. has increased its exposure to the wastewater treatment sector after acquiring an additional 45 percent equity stake in Faith Lives Out Visions 2 Ventures Holdings Inc., in strengthening its control over the operator linked to the wastewater facility serving Puerto Princesa City.

The transaction raises Vivant Water’s ownership in FLOWs to 90 percent, aligning with a management and operational transition at the treatment facility.

The move consolidates oversight of the wastewater plant that serves as the private-sector partner to the city government in operating the Puerto Princesa Wastewater Reclamation and Learning Center Inc.

The facility, located along Puerto Princesa Bay in Palawan, has a contracted treatment capacity of about 2 million liters of wastewater per day and processes roughly 70 cubic meters of septage daily from households and businesses in the city. The plant began commercial operations in January 2022 and forms part of efforts to rehabilitate the bay’s marine ecosystem.

Studies conducted in 2025 by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman found that treated effluent from the plant reduced coliform levels by as much as 99 percent, highlighting improvements in water quality that have supported environmental recovery efforts in Puerto Princesa Bay.

Local officials say the cleanup has helped position the city as a venue for international triathlon events and contributed to renewed sightings of marine species such as the dugong.

“Wastewater management is just as important as water supply in protecting the environment and meeting future needs,” said Vivant Water President Jess Garcia. He added that wastewater treatment should be viewed as part of a circular system that recovers resources, protects ecosystems and supports sustainable water supply.

The wastewater project is structured as a tripartite partnership involving the private sector, the Puerto Princesa city government and the Puerto Princesa City Water District.

The acquisition also deepens the water-sector portfolio of Vivant Corporation, which has been expanding beyond power generation and electricity distribution into water infrastructure.

Among its projects is a seawater desalination facility being developed by Island Mactan Cordova Corporation that is expected to begin commercial operations in Metro Cebu in 2026 and is projected to be the country’s first utility-scale seawater desalination plant.

Through investments in bulk water supply, desalination, wastewater treatment and planned distribution assets, Vivant is building an integrated presence across the water value chain as demand for sustainable water infrastructure grows across Philippine urban centers.