Ayala Land builds desalination facility for Lio Estate
Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) is strengthening the water infrastructure of its Lio Estate in El Nido, Palawan, as it prepares for further tourism, residential and commercial expansion.
On Monday, the Zobel-led property giant said it was developing a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) facility capable of producing up to 500 cubic meters of potable water daily. Operations are expected to begin in August 2027.
Lio Estate currently sources water from its own groundwater wells. The new facility will provide an additional source of supply and reduce the estate’s reliance on groundwater as demand increases.
Estate Water, a division of Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc., will develop and operate the facility.
The project will support Lio’s existing requirements as well as upcoming developments such as the Balai Adlao Expansion, Tara Hostel, Estate Support Facilities, additional retail offerings and Sitio Aplaya, its newest residential-commercial district.
“As Lio continues to grow, we want to make sure our infrastructure is always a step ahead of demand, not catching up to it,” said Cris Zuluaga, head of Ayala Land Leisure Estates.
“This facility is part of that long-term view—strengthening what we already have in place and preparing Lio for the years ahead,” Zuluaga added.
SWRO technology treats seawater to produce potable water.
ALI said the facility’s treated water would be designed to meet the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water and applicable regulatory requirements.
The project will likewise comply with required environmental permits and safeguards during construction and operation.
Rubenson Cruz, technical services head of Estate Water, said the additional supply would strengthen Lio’s water security and improve reliability.
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