To bolster water security in Iloilo City and its neighboring municipalities, the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) has partnered with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to explore utilizing the Jalaur River as an additional water source.

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, formalizing the collaboration that allows for a feasibility study to assess the transfer of some of NIA’s water rights from the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Stage II (JRMP II) to MIWD.

Under the MOU, MIWD will lead the feasibility study, which aims to support the province's bulk water supply. The study will evaluate the technical, financial, legal, and environmental viability of allocating up to 86 million liters per day from the JRMP II.

This government-to-government partnership also includes plans for supporting infrastructure. MIWD will be responsible for the construction, ownership, and operation of a segment of the high-line canal that will deliver raw water to its facilities. NIA will retain ownership of the overall high-line canal system, with MIWD's section reverting to NIA after the partnership concludes. MIWD will also construct and manage the intake and treatment systems to ensure the delivery of potable water to the public.

The collaboration is currently awaiting approval from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).

According to MIWD General Manager Alfredo Tayo III, the feasibility study is targeted for completion within one year from the partnership's start. The exact cost of the study is yet to be determined. Tayo also emphasized that the collaboration will adhere to President Ferdinand Marcos's directive to ensure the lowest possible water costs for consumers.

MIWD serves Iloilo City and the municipalities of Cabatuan, Maasin, Oton, Pavia, Leganes, San Miguel, and Sta. Barbara. Tayo explained that this partnership will expand the water supply currently used for irrigation to help meet the growing demand for drinking water in the area.

“The JRMP II is a landmark government project, and this partnership opens new doors for optimizing its benefits beyond irrigation,” Tayo stated. “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.”

The JRMP II, NIA’s flagship large-scale water reservoir infrastructure outside of Luzon, was designed for multi-purpose utilization, including year-round irrigation, bulk water supply, hydroelectric power, and eco-tourism. Prime areas benefiting from the project include numerous towns in Iloilo, such as Calinog, Lambunao, and Passi City, as well as Iloilo City itself.

NIA has also engaged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for transaction advisory services, covering project structuring, pricing, and the integration of social considerations like ensuring tariff affordability for MIWD consumers.