Iloilo braces for more water concessionaires

ILOILO City is bracing up for additional water concessionaires as the bulk water supply system is now in place to serve residents of Iloilo franchise service areas, said City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Mabilog said that with the water supply, his administration has completed the challenges in three years of his term which are power supply, drainage and water solutions.

Mabilog said that with the bulk water supply facilitated by the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD), some 20,000 additional water connections, augmented by the reconnection of 2,000 service concessionaires will be additional to the existing 20,000 service connections in this city.

The city is currently experiencing the unprecedented development strides as giant corporations and business locators are eyeing the city for satellite operations.

Among these are the P25-billion Megaworld commercial and business complex at the 23-hectares old Iloilo airport in Mandurriao district and the P2-billion Iloilo commercial center of Gaisano Capital Corp. along the diversion road.

Already in place are the offices of Ayala Business Corp. several call centers and other business locators.

“All these investments in the city need water, including the influx of people and workers in the city and we are proud to assure them with enough water supply,” Mabilog said.

On top of the P1-billion water investment here, the city also hosts to two power generating plants of Global Business Power Corp.

The coal fired power plant provides 184 megawatts and the diesel power plant provides 100 megawatts for Iloilo City and the rest of Panay Island.

The city is currently completing its drainage system with priority on areas identified as flood prone.

The city’s drainage master plan is expected to be finished this first quarter of 2013 which the Department of Public Works and Highways will use as basis for the total drainage system of the city.