Israel embassy welcomes inauguration of Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant
Israel’s embassy in Manila on Monday, Jan. 26, welcomed the inauguration of the Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant, which President Marcos led in Bacolod City last week.
Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh said the new treatment plant, which was an Israeli innovation in the Philippines, is an important development in the two countries’ relations, recognizing "the strong spirit of international cooperation behind the project."
It was no other than President Marcos who highlighted that the facility "benefited from international expertise, including Israeli water treatment and automation technology, which supports efficient water purification, real-time monitoring, and automated control to ensure a consistent, safe, and reliable water supply," the embassy said in a statement.
The inauguration of Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant marked a major milestone in improving access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water supply for communities in the Negros Island Region, according to the embassy.
It is considered one of the region’s largest water facilities, it added. The plant is expected to deliver up to 75 million liters of potable water per day, benefiting an estimated 100,000 households or approximately 500,000 residents in Bacolod City and the Municipality of Murcia.
Kursh, who joined the President during the inauguration on Jan. 19, expressed pride in the strong Israel–Philippines partnership, as well as in the broader international collaboration with the European Union, the Government of the Netherlands, and Climate Fund Managers.
“This project reflects vision, technology, trust, and the transfer of know-how. Despite having more than 60 percent of its land classified as desert, Israel learned to overcome water scarcity through innovation, including drip irrigation and advanced water technologies,” she said.
“We are proud to share Israel’s experience and practical solutions to support water and food security for Filipinos. Water is life," she added.
For the embassy, the Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant stands as a model of how innovation and partnership can deliver climate-resilient infrastructure and long-term benefits for communities.