Iloilo water district eyes Jalaur River for more supply
Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) has teamed up with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to explore ways to add to the supply amid the growing demand in the province.
The two parties made this formal through a memorandum of understanding, which entails the conduct of a feasibility study for the proposed transfer of a portion of NIA’s water rights from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) to MIWD.
The Iloilo water district will determine the technical, financial, legal and environmental viability of allocating up to one cubic meter per second—or 86 million liters per day—from NIA’s JRMP II water rights.
MWID will also construct the supporting infrastructure, including a segment of the high-line canal. This would be used for the delivery of raw water to its facilities.
The water provider covers Iloilo City and the towns of Cabatuan, Maasin, Oton, Pavia, Leganes, San Miguel and Sta. Barbara.
“The JRMP II is a landmark government project, and this partnership opens new doors for optimizing its benefits beyond irrigation,” Tayo said.
“Through this MOU, we are laying the groundwork to responsibly utilize part of the Jalaur River’s water resources for safe, reliable and accessible drinking water,” he added.
The JRMP II, however, still needs to secure the go signal from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
According to Tayo, the NWRB gave them a maximum of one year to finish the feasibility study.
Officials had declined to provide the initial cost for the feasibility study.
“We will be able to give water to end users at the least possible cost, aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos. At the end of the day, if it’s with the government, it is a balance of profitability,” Tayo said.
