President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. conducted a significant inspection of major water infrastructure in Negros Occidental, highlighting a critical public-private partnership for water security. The visit on Monday afternoon, January 19, 2026, focused on the Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant and Caliban Facility located in Barangay Abo-Abo, Murcia.
A Model Partnership for Water Security
During his tour, President Marcos emphasized that the Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant stands as a clear testament to successful collaboration between the government and private sector. He described the initiative as representing sound infrastructure planning and responsible investment in the country’s future. The facility is considered one of the largest of its kind in the Negros Island Region and is pivotal for strengthening the long-term water security of Bacolod City.
The project is operated by Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI), a subsidiary of the Tubig Pilipinas Group. This consortium was awarded the project after a competitive bidding process in 2015. The group's mandate is to deliver sustainable water and sanitation solutions, particularly in areas outside Metro Manila.
Phased Development and Significant Capacity
The Bacolod Bulk Water Supply Project was executed in strategic phases. Phase 1, the Ngalan Water Treatment Plant in Bacolod's Barangay Granada, was commissioned in October 2017. It initially supplied 10 Million Liters per Day (MLD) and now provides up to 24 MLD, maintaining its status as one of the lowest-cost bulk water projects in the Philippines.
Phase 2, the Sum-Ag Water Treatment Plant in Murcia's Barangay Salvacion, was finished in January 2025. With a transmission pipeline completed in March 2025, it currently delivers 15 MLD of potable water.
Phase 3, the Caliban River Intake in Barangay Abo-Abo, was completed in October 2025, adding a substantial 20 MLD of available capacity. Collectively, the system now has the capacity to deliver up to 75 million liters of potable water daily, benefiting approximately 100,000 households or roughly half a million residents.
Investment, International Support, and Future Impact
The total project cost amounts to P1.5 billion, financed through shareholder equity and long-term debt from the Development Bank of the Philippines. The investment includes foreign direct investment from Climate Fund Managers, a Dutch EU-based fund. President Marcos noted that this financial structure reflects strong confidence in the country's infrastructure sector and its commitment to long-term, climate-resilient investments.
The project also incorporated international expertise, such as water treatment and automation technology from Israel-based Watermatic International. President Marcos lauded all contributors, stating that such projects remind the nation that collective effort can transform communities for the better.
The Bacolod–Murcia Bulk Water System is of strategic importance, designed to reduce reliance on finite groundwater, improve public health and climate resilience, and support economic growth. At full scale, it can serve over 750,000 people. BBWI is already undertaking a Stage 4 expansion to increase capacity from the Caliban River.
Meanwhile, Tubig Pilipinas Group is expanding its reach, constructing a 50-MLD project in Talisay City, Cebu, and continuing work in several other cities nationwide. The inspection was attended by local officials including Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya, and Murcia Mayor Gerardo Victor Rojas, alongside diplomats from the EU, Netherlands, and Israel.
