Boracay Water, a subsidiary of Manila Water Philippine Ventures and a concessionaire of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), recently celebrated the business unit’s 14th anniversary in delivering quality water and wastewater services and advocating environmental sustainability in the island of Boracay.

In an anniversary event held at the Boracay New Coast Convention Center, Boracay Water led the festivities with the theme “Breaking Barriers, Creating Breakthrough, Continually Making an Impact”, which was also attended by Malay Municipal Mayor Frolibar Bautista, the Malay Sangguniang Bayan Council, and representatives from the TIEZA Regulatory Office.

“Our theme is a good reminder of our past performances and our plans moving forward. We actually had a breakthrough performance in 2023. This year, we need to be able to find ways on how we can achieve our goals on further enhancing our services.  There will be challenges but these should not stop us from doing what needs to be done.” shares Bryan Magallanes, General Manager of Boracay Water.

Since its establishment in 2010, Boracay Water has achieved major feats in the provision of water and wastewater services in the island, contributing to a sustainable environment and to the economic development of the island.

Through implementing extensive pipelaying and pipe replacement programs, Boracay Water has achieved 100% water supply coverage and minimized water loss or Non-Revenue Water from 37% to 20% in 2023. Water availability is now 24/7, with water quality compliant to the Department of Health’s Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.

Rehabilitation and upgrading of its Nabaoy and Caticlan pumping stations are also underway, to ensure that water supply will continue 24/7 even in the event of a natural calamity, such as typhoons and earthquakes.

Boracay Water further expanded its reach and impact through the Tubig Para sa Barangay Program (TPSB). This initiative extended clean and safe water access to low-income households in Sitio Balinghai in Barangay Yapak, benefiting over 40 households.

Recognizing the importance of wastewater treatment in preserving marine ecosystems, Boracay Water implemented upgrades in its Manocmanoc Sewage Treatment Plant to comply with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Bio-Nutrient Removal (BNR) standards. Under Project Monsoon, Boracay Water also started providing free sewer connections for all its residential customers living within 60-100 meters from the nearest available sewer network, to intensify sanitation and wastewater management.

As part of its steadfast commitment to ensure sustainability of the island, Boracay Water designed a holistic, multi-stakeholder environmental program called “Boracay H2O” or the “Boracay Highland to Ocean”. The said program aims to protect the environment by implementing different initiatives that will protect the water sources coming from the mountains and watershed of Nabaoy (highland) which flows through the Nabaoy River, down to the ocean reefs under the waters surrounding the island (ocean). For 2018-2023, Boracay Water invested P2.7-M to fund projects under H2O.

For its 2021-2025 Service Improvement Plan, Boracay Water has allocated P1.1-B to further intensify water and wastewater service in Boracay Island and ensure compliance to its service obligations.