Tapping the Tide: SUEZ and Partners Break Ground on Philippines’ Largest Seawater Desalination Plant in Metro Iloilo

In a groundbreaking move to address Metro Iloilo’s worsening water crisis, global environmental services leader SUEZ, construction firm JEMCO, and Metro Pacific Water (MPW) have officially commenced the construction of the Philippines’ largest seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility.

Leaders from SUEZ, JEMCO, and Metro Pacific Water celebrate the start of construction of the country’s largest seawater reverse osmosis facility—paving the way for long-term water security in Iloilo. | Photo: SUEZ

Slated for completion within 24 months, the facility marks a historic milestone in the country’s water infrastructure—one that may shift the tide for both urban development and sustainable water access in the region.

A Response to a Growing Crisis

Metro Iloilo has been grappling with an increasingly fragile water supply. Seasonal rainfall fluctuations and overextended freshwater sources have placed considerable stress on the region’s ability to meet rising demand.

The construction of the desalination plant—expected to supply 66,500 cubic meters of potable water daily to nearly 50,000 households—is a direct response to this urgent need.

“The critical water situation in the region calls for sustainable, long-term solutions,” said Pierre Pauliac, Co-CEO of SUEZ. “This collaboration is a testament to the trust our partners place in us, and a new step in our expansion in Southeast Asia.”

Engineering Resilience by the Sea

Using SUEZ’s SeaDAF™ technology, the plant will convert seawater into high-quality drinking water. This flagship filtration system combines dissolved air flotation and dual media gravity filters to treat seawater before it undergoes reverse osmosis.

The facility’s compact and modular design is tailored to Iloilo’s limited space, while promising optimized energy use and reduced land impact.

“The project is a marriage of global expertise and local excellence,” said Augusto F. Manalo, President & CEO of JEMCO. “Partnering again with SUEZ, after our successful water reclamation venture in Muntinlupa, underscores our shared commitment to building resilient infrastructure.”

A Catalyst for Growth

For Metro Pacific Water, the project is a cornerstone of their mission to deliver sustainable water solutions nationwide.

MPW President and CEO Christopher Andrew B. Pangilinan emphasized that the plant is more than just a utility—it’s a developmental enabler. “This facility supports Iloilo’s rapid growth by ensuring that clean, reliable water is no longer a bottleneck to progress.”

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas echoed these sentiments, calling the project “an exceptional initiative” that will enhance quality of life and stimulate economic development across the region.

The Brine Dilemma

Yet as promising as the project sounds, it also draws attention to the costs and environmental complexities of desalination.

By design, SWRO plants generate brine, a salty byproduct often laced with residual chemicals like chlorine, anti-scaling agents, and metals. Improper brine disposal into marine environments can harm aquatic ecosystems, reduce oxygen levels in water, and contribute to thermal pollution.

Environmental experts warn that while desalination is indispensable in water-scarce regions, it should be implemented with robust brine management strategies and environmental monitoring.

Advanced treatment technologies and regulated discharge practices can mitigate ecological harm—but such solutions also come at a premium.

Price of Purity

The economics of desalination remain equally challenging. Producing one cubic meter of freshwater through reverse osmosis can cost anywhere between $0.50 to $2.50 (P28.70 to P143.48 as of April 7, 2025), driven largely by energy consumption.

Although technology is improving, desalination still carries a higher per-unit cost than alternatives like wastewater reuse or rainwater harvesting.

Nonetheless, for regions like Iloilo, where freshwater scarcity is a growing threat to human health and productivity, desalination may be the only viable lifeline. It is a high-stakes, high-cost venture—but one that could pave the way for climate-resilient urban development.

A Blueprint for the Future?

As the largest SWRO facility in the Philippines, the Metro Iloilo project sets a precedent. It is a test case not just for technological prowess and public-private collaboration, but also for balancing economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social equity.

If executed successfully—with transparent governance, community engagement, and a strong commitment to sustainability—it could become the prototype for similar infrastructure in other water-stressed parts of the archipelago.

Because in a country surrounded by seas yet often parched for potable water, the real question is not whether we can turn saltwater into freshwater—but whether we can do so wisely.