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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Firm set to start supplying water to MCWD

Firm set to start supplying water to MCWD

Published Aug 21, 2025 05:51 pm
VIVANT Water President Atty. Jess Anthony Garcia drinks a glass of seawater converted into potable water through the company’s desalination plant in Cordova, Cebu. (Calvin Cordova)
VIVANT Water President Atty. Jess Anthony Garcia drinks a glass of seawater converted into potable water through the company’s desalination plant in Cordova, Cebu. (Calvin Cordova)
CEBU CITY – Metro Cebu is set to have steadier water supply as Vivant Hydrocore Holdings Inc. (Vivant Water) is set to begin bulk supply of potable water to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD).
Vivant Water President Atty. Jess Anthony Garcia recently announced that the company’s large-scale seawater desalination plant in Cordova, Cebu is entering the final phase of commissioning.
By the fourth quarter of this year, the P2-billion desalination plant, developed through Isla Mactan-Cordova Corp. (IMCC), will start delivering 20 million liters or 20,000 cubic meters of clean drinking water daily.
The bulk supply is part of the MCWD’s 25-year joint venture agreement with Vivant Water.
In a presentation, Vivant Water noted that MCWD can only produce 250 million liters per day from its 138 wells and private suppliers.
The 250 million liters of daily water supply is just 39 percent of Cebu’s water demand requirement.
“This project is not only about plugging short-term deficits – it’s about safeguarding Cebu’s future,” said Arlo Sarmiento, CEO of Vivant Corp. “Our investment in desalination reflects a deliberate shift toward building resilient infrastructure that supports both quality of life and economic activity.”
The company’s seawater desalination plant in Cordova is the country’s first utility-scale seawater desalination plant, converting seawater into potable water using globally proven technologies.
“Desalination may be more expensive to produce, but it offers a stable, sustainable source—especially for island and coastal provinces,” said Garcia. “This is not just a contingency measure; it's a responsible investment for future generations.”
Vivant is also eyeing similar desalination ventures in Bantayan, Cebu, and Palawan.
With the bulk earmarked for renewable energy and resilient infrastructure, Vivant currently has a P46 billion capital expenditure pipeline through 2030.
As climate change continues to affect water supply, Cebu’s desalination project is being tipped to become a model across the country.
“Water security is now infrastructure security. Our goal is to make desalination more accessible, efficient, and scalable across the country,” said Garcia.

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