Iloilo water distribution system up for rehab

ILOILO CITY — The Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) has awarded a P12.34-billion joint venture contract to a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. on the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of water distribution facilities in Iloilo City and seven neighboring towns.

The 25-year contract with Metro Pacific Water Invents Corp. (MWIC) aims to address decades of limited coverage and low water supply in MIWD’s service areas.

If implemented next year, the joint venture project will be the biggest outside of Manila, according to lawyer Laurence Rogero, MWIC president.

MWIC also has a bulk water project with the MIWD.

Imelda Magsuci, MIWD general manager, said the contract would be reviewed by the Office of Government Corporate Counsel before its implementation before the middle of next year.

The project involves the takeover of a joint venture company of the MIWD and MWIC of the operation and maintenance of distribution facilities. It also provides wastewater management services. —Nestor P. Burgos Jr.