Metro Pacific Iloilo Water, Inc. (MPIW), commenced operations on July 1, 2019, but quickly faced the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted economic activities and imposed strict lockdowns.
Despite these hurdles, MPIW ensured a stable water supply for its customers by adapting to mandatory protocols. With the gradual return to normalcy by late 2021, MPIW is now focused on accelerating its initiatives to drive improvements and support the growing needs of Iloilo communities.
The Joint Venture
In search of further improving its services to live up to the expectations of its customers and the mandate of its goals and objectives, Metro Iloilo Water District entered into a joint venture (JV) project with Metro Iloilo Concession Holdings, Corp. (MILCOH) for the improvement, rehabilitation, maintenance, and operation of its water distribution system within its service area while providing septage services for the Ilonggo communities.
Metro Pacific Iloilo Water, Inc. (MPIW), which officially commenced on 1 July 2019, is a joint venture company borne out of MIWD and MPW.
MIWD becomes a Government-Owned and Controlled Corporation (GOCC)
The water system of Iloilo was simultaneously turned over from the MWSS to the City Government and then to the autonomous MIWD. The LWUA issued Certificate of Conditional Conformance No.071 on January 12, 1979.
With the promulgation of Presidential Decree No.198 in 1978, Water Districts became autonomous, and the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) was created to supervise them.
On September 18, 1978, the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) was organized by the government and became the official purveyor of water in Iloilo City and seven surrounding municipalities.
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) from 1971 to 1978 was created under the Republic Act No.6234.
The administration of IMWW was transferred from the Province of Iloilo to the National Government under the National Waterworks and Sewerage (NAWASA) from 1955 to 1971 by Republic Act No. 1383
The year 1926 was the birth of the waterworks system in Iloilo.
On September 16, 1926, the then-named Iloilo Metropolitan Waterworks (IMWW) was created by Commonwealth Act No. 3222.
IMWW was administered and controlled by the Provincial Government in Iloilo and managed the system for 27 years, from 1926 to 1955.
Several entities, one after another, took over the administration and supervision of the IMWW.
Governor General Leonard Wood declared the Massin watershed a reserved watershed for the water of the city and surrounding provinces by Proclamation No. 6 series 1923.
A weir was built, along with a sedimentation basin, around 1910-1920.