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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider The Stock Market devider Vivant begins Metro Cebu desalination supplies to fight El Niño risk

Vivant begins Metro Cebu desalination supplies to fight El Niño risk

Published Jul 2, 2026 12:58 pm  |  Updated Jul 2, 2026 01:57 pm
From left: Metropolitan Cebu Water District General Manager John Lapid, Vivant Corp. Chief Executive Officer Arlo Sarmiento, Cordova Vice Mayor Victor Tago, Metropolitan Cebu Water District Board Chairman Ruben Almendras, Vivant Water President Jess Garcia, Vivant Corp. Chairman of the Board Francis Garcia, and Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan.
From left: Metropolitan Cebu Water District General Manager John Lapid, Vivant Corp. Chief Executive Officer Arlo Sarmiento, Cordova Vice Mayor Victor Tago, Metropolitan Cebu Water District Board Chairman Ruben Almendras, Vivant Water President Jess Garcia, Vivant Corp. Chairman of the Board Francis Garcia, and Cordova Mayor Cesar Suan.
Vivant Corp.’s water infrastructure unit has commenced the initial phase of its utility-scale desalination project servicing residents in Metro Cebu.
In a statement on Thursday, July 2, Vivant said the company’s subsidiary, Isla Mactan Cordova Corp., has begun delivering 5,000 cubic meters of potable desalinated water per day to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District network.
This supply is set to increase in phases to reach the 20,000 cu.m. capacity agreed upon by MCWD and Vivant Water. A joint venture deal was signed in April last year to address the need for climate-resilient water sources, aiming to reduce pressure on groundwater systems and minimize the long-term risks linked to aquifer stress and overextraction.
“The additional water supply comes at a crucial time as MCWD prepares for the anticipated effects of the El Niño phenomenon. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to support close to 30,000 Cebuano households,” Vivant Water said.
Unlike traditional extraction, desalination bypasses vulnerable groundwater and surface water systems entirely, providing MCWD with a climate-resilient alternative to sustain Metro Cebu’s economic expansion.
“The sooner we bring climate-resilient sources online, the sooner we can help reduce stress on our aquifers and protect the natural resources that Cebu’s future depends on,” said Vivant Water President Jess Anthony Garcia.
In April, Vivant Water acquired a water distribution role on Bantayan Island as part of its vertical expansion to deliver to “last-mile” areas.
This year, the Vivant Group plans to fund the water unit’s expansion projects through a ₱7 billion capital outlay, which includes desalination, wastewater management, and water distribution systems. (Gabriell Christel Galang)

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Vivant Corp. Metro Cebu Water District Cebu
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