From left to center: Joshua Crisostomo, president of SJDM HOA Confederation; Atty. Roberto Rob S. Rodrigo (MPW assistant vice president for Legal); Roldan Pineda, chief operations officer, Metro Pacific Bulacan Water; Jonet S. Sanalila (MPW assistant vice president for corporate development and communications); San Jose del Monte Rep Arthur B Robes; San Jose del Monte Mayor Florida “Rida” Robes; Rosemarie Galvez, general manager, SJDM Water District, Aurelio Jose Jr., chairman, SJDM Water District; JM Lazo, chief finance officer, Metro Pacific Water, and Arvin Joson, SJDM City Engineering Office
METRO Pacific Water (MPW), which operates in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan as Metro Pacific Bulacan Water (MPBW), has broken ground on its P70 million-worth Phase I Tanawin Reservoir to Igay Reservoir Transmission Project, a major water infrastructure initiative that will deliver an additional 15 million liters per day (MLD) of treated water and expand reliable water service to approximately 15,000 additional households across the city.
The project forms part of MPBW’s efforts to strengthen San Jose del Monte’s water supply system, which has been strained by aging and deteriorated facilities inherited from the previous operator, high water losses, and the continuing impact of the El Niño dry spell on Angat Dam that is expected to last until the first quarter of 2027.
“MPBW only began interim operations in June, but we are already implementing both emergency measures and the long-term plan needed to build a more reliable and resilient water system for San Jose del Monte. This project is a critical step in that direction because it expands our capacity to move around 15 MLD of treated water to 15,000 households, improving service reliability to residents who have endured years of low pressure and interruptions,” Andrew Pangilinan, president and CEO, said.
“We welcome this infrastructure project from our interim service operator because San Joseños need both immediate relief and long-term solutions. This project will help improve water access for thousands more households while strengthening the city’s water infrastructure. The City Government will continue working closely with MPBW, the San Jose del Monte Water District, and national agencies to ensure that critical projects like this move forward while we continue addressing the urgent needs of affected communities,” Mayor Florida “Ate Rida” Robes said.
The transmission project involves the construction of a 3.4-kilometer, 400-millimeter-diameter pipeline that will transfer treated water from Bulacan Bulk Water to the Igay Reservoir. Once completed, the project will improve reliable water service to residents in Kaypian, Sto. Cristo, Caybanban, San Roque, Paradise III, San Isidro, Yakal, Guijo, Poblacion, Poblacion I, and Mulawin.
Pipelaying works are scheduled to begin in August 2026, with project completion targeted by December 2026.
The project comes as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has warned of a possible reduction in the water supply allocation for the San Jose del Monte Water District due to the continued decline of Angat Dam’s water level, which may require operational adjustments across the city’s water distribution system.
“While we are starting the long-term infrastructure work now, we are also implementing a 45-day emergency response to address the immediate effects of El Niño and the reduced Angat supply. Our priority is to maximize every available source of water, reduce system losses, and provide additional support to the most affected communities,” Pangilinan added.
As part of its immediate response, MPBW is fast-tracking the detection and repair of pipe leaks across the city. To date, it has repaired 206 identified leaks, helping reduce water losses and improve the volume of supply reaching consumers. The interim service operator is also working on the reactivation of deep wells in Francisco Homes–Guijo, Yakal, and Kaypian; the construction of communal shallow wells in Graceville, Muzon East, and Citrus; the installation of modular treatment plants and static water tanks in various barangays; and the continued deployment and coordination of water delivery operations in affected communities.
“These emergency measures and the Tanawin-to-Igay transmission project are part of one direction: stabilize supply now while building the infrastructure needed for a stronger system in the future,” Pangilinan added.
