Amid increasing concerns over water shortages in Metro Cebu, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has formalized a milestone 25-year joint venture with Vivant Hydrocore Holdings Inc. (operating under the trade name Vivant Water) to provide a sustainable water supply to the region.
Under the agreement, Vivant Water’s state-of-the-art seawater desalination plant in Cordova, Cebu—capable of producing up to 20 million liters of clean, potable water daily—will supply water to MCWD for distribution across Metro Cebu.
The province continues to face mounting pressure on its water resources due to rapid population growth, urban expansion, and climate-related disruptions. In early 2024, Cebu City declared a water crisis triggered by the El Niño phenomenon, which caused severe supply deficits and disrupted water distribution, particularly in Talisay City and the southern districts of Cebu City. During the height of the crisis, MCWD reported a daily shortfall of 40,000 cubic meters, which later escalated to 50,000 cubic meters.
To help close this gap and strengthen long-term water resilience, MCWD and Vivant Water have cemented their partnership—merging public service commitment with private sector innovation.
“Vivant is committed to investing in essential infrastructure that enables communities to thrive,” said Arlo Sarmiento, CEO of Vivant Corporation. “This landmark partnership with MCWD reflects our long-term vision of delivering sustainable, impactful projects that drive economic growth and improve quality of life.”
Vivant Water, through its subsidiary Isla Mactan Cordova Corporation (IMCC), is the first in the Philippines to develop a utility-scale seawater desalination plant. As a globally recognized solution for water-scarce areas, desalination offers Metro Cebu a reliable and climate-resilient alternative to traditional freshwater sources.
“Water security is foundational to sustainable development,” Sarmiento added. “This agreement demonstrates our dedication to forward-thinking, scalable solutions that meet Cebu’s growing demand.”
The MCWD-Vivant Water joint venture marks a crucial step in ensuring water security for Metro Cebu, empowering communities with a dependable, climate-adaptive water supply for generations to come.
