MCWD General Manager Edgar Donoso and Vivant CEO Arlo Sarmiento inks JVA between MCWD and Vivant Corp. subsidiary Vivant Water for water supply in Metro Cebu
Cebu, Philippines — Amid growing concern over water shortages in Metro Cebu, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has reaffirmed a milestone partnership with Vivant Hydrocore Holdings Inc. (with trade name Vivant Water) through the signing of a 25-year joint venture agreement to supply water in Metro Cebu.
Vivant Water’s desalination plant located in Cordova, Cebu which can produce up to 20 million liters of clean, potable water per day, will supply the water to MCWD, which in turn distributes it to its customers.
The entire Cebu province continues to experience growing demand on its water supply, driven by population growth and urban development. Furthermore, climate-related factors have put pressure on water supply. In early 2024, Cebu City declared a water crisis due to the El Niño phenomenon, which led to a significant water deficit and affected water distribution in areas like Talisay and the southern district of Cebu City. During that time, MCWD reported a water deficit of 40,000 cubic meters per day, which later increased to 50,000 cubic meters.
To help address this crisis, MCWD and Vivant Water have formalized their long-term partnership – a testament to MCWD’s public service mandate and Vivant Water’s technical expertise in delivering sustainable water solutions for Metro Cebu.
“Vivant is committed to investing in essential infrastructure that enable communities to thrive,” said Arlo Sarmiento, Vivant Corporation CEO. “This landmark partnership with MCWD is a testament to our long-term vision of providing sustainable and impactful projects that propel economic growth and improve everyday living in the communities that we serve.”
Vivant Water through its subsidiary Isla Mactan Cordova Corporation (IMCC), is the first company in the country to develop a utility scale seawater desalination plant. Water desalination has emerged as a globally recognized solution for water-scarce regions. Its adoption in Metro Cebu reduces dependence on traditional freshwater sources and helps the region adapt to the impacts of climate change and population growth.
“Water security is essential to sustainable development, and this agreement showcases our dedication to innovative solutions. Desalination provides a viable and scalable alternative to meet Cebu’s growing demand.” ended Mr. Sarmiento.
The collaboration between MCWD and Vivant Water is a decisive move toward water security for Metro Cebu, empowering communities with a reliable and resilient water source for years to come.
Additional Information:
- In September 2020, MCWD published the Invitation to Submit a Proposal for the Cordova Desalination Bulk Water Supply Project, through the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) under the 2013 National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Joint Venture Guidelines.
- After a thorough CSP process, MCWD issued a Notice of Award to Vivant Water in February 2022 after it concluded a bid for the Cordova Bulk Water Supply Project through a solicited proposal where the winning bidder will build a utility-scale desalination plant that will augment the limited bulk water supply of MCWD.
- As result of a rigorous five-year process involving comprehensive planning, regulatory approvals, and close collaboration between the public and private sectors, MCWD and Vivant Water have signed and are ready to implement the partnership through a JVA.
