BBWI expansion boosts Bacolod’s safe, reliable water supply

Insider Spotlight

• New treatment plant boosts access to potable water in Bacolod and Murcia
• Project highlights public-private partnership and foreign investment
• Facility designed to scale up as demand rises
  
  

Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. (BBWI),  a subsidiary of Tubig Pilipinas Holdings Inc. with parent Pure Energy Holdings Corp., has reinforced the push for safe and reliable water supply in Negros Occidental with the inauguration of its second water treatment plant serving Bacolod City and the Municipality of Murcia.

The inauguration and inspection were led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., alongside local officials including Rep. Albee Benitez. 

Diplomats from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the State of Israel, and the European Union were also present, signaling the project’s broader relevance to infrastructure development and international cooperation.

Why it matters

Access to clean and dependable water remains a critical issue for fast-growing urban centers. 

The new P1.5-billion facility directly addresses supply gaps by delivering potable water that meets safety and quality standards, supporting both household needs and economic activity in Bacolod and nearby communities.

The big picture

With the second plant now operational, BBWI’s facilities supply around 40 million liters per day, equivalent to roughly forty percent of Bacolod City’s total water requirements. 

The system has been engineered for future expansion to 60 million liters per day, ensuring resilience as population and demand continue to rise. Combined, the two plants are capable of serving up to 750,000 residents.

What they’re saying

“This project demonstrates how strong public-private partnerships and foreign investments deployed into strategic and focused water companies such as Tubig Pilipinas, can deliver critical infrastructure that supports SDG (sustainable development goals),” BBWI chair Ryan Yapkianwee said in a press release on Jan. 20, 2026.

Beyond Bacolod

Tubig Pilipinas is extending the same model nationwide, with the 50 million-liter-per-day Jaclupan Bulk Water Supply Project in Talisay City, Cebu expected to be operational within the year. 

The group already operates water facilities in multiple provinces, including Nueva Ecija, Negros Occidental, Samar, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Cavite, Palawan, Pangasinan, and Cebu.

Bottom line

The Bacolod expansion underscores how targeted investments in water infrastructure can improve public health, strengthen climate resilience, and support long-term urban growth. 

By prioritizing safe and reliable supply today, BBWI and its partners are positioning Bacolod and Murcia to meet tomorrow’s water challenges with greater confidence. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma