The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has started receiving desalinated water from Isla Mactan Cordova Corp., a subsidiary of Vivant Water, marking a new step to ease supply shortages and prepare for the anticipated El Niño phenomenon.
On July 1, 2026, the desalination plant was successfully connected to MCWD's distribution network, and the utility received an initial 5,000 cubic meters of water, as announced on Thursday, July 2.
Full capacity to serve 30,000 households
The initial delivery is expected to increase to 20,000 cubic meters per day once the plant's intake systems stabilize. At full capacity, the facility is projected to provide potable water to nearly 30,000 households in Metro Cebu.
MCWD faces a daily water deficit of more than 16,000 cubic meters, raising concerns about water availability, especially as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned on June 24 that El Niño is likely to intensify in the coming months and persist until early next year, increasing the risk of below-normal rainfall.
Joint venture and climate resilience
MCWD general manager John Dx Lapid said the utility has been working with partners to develop climate-resilient water sources. “The MCWD administration has been actively looking for partners who understand the urgency of Cebu’s water needs and share our vision of serving Cebuanos better,” Lapid stated.
MCWD and Vivant Water signed a 25-year joint venture agreement for water supply in April 2025, paving the way for the desalination project. Unlike traditional sources, desalination does not rely on groundwater or surface water, allowing MCWD to diversify supply while reducing pressure on Cebu's overextracted aquifers.
Protecting natural resources
Vivant Water president Jess Anthony Garcia emphasized the environmental benefits: “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.”
The desalinated water supply is part of broader efforts to secure water for Metro Cebu as the region faces growing demand and climate challenges. / Gervie Paluga, UP Cebu intern
