Aboitiz InfraCapital Water Contributes To Davao’s Economic Progress Through Bulk Water Supply Project

The Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project (DCBWSP), a public-private partnership (PPP) between Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) subsidiary Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. and the Davao City Water District (DCWD), continues to contribute huge socio-economic benefits to Davao City by  enabling water security, among other benefits. 

Prior to AIC Water’s entry, only 77% of DCWD’s customers had 24/7 access to potable water. After the operations of DCWSP, DCWD is now able to extend 24/7 potable water to 96% of their customers. 

Considered as the country’s largest operating bulk water supply facility, DCBWSP currently supplies 300 million litres per day (MLD) to more than one million residents of Davao City. 

For over 10 years now, AIC Water has been continuously committed to our goal of enabling businesses and uplifting communities across the Philippines through sustainable water solutions.

Cosette V. Canilao, AIC President and Chief Executive Officer

In an independent study by the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), AIC Water, through DCBWSP, contributed more than PHP15.5 (USD0.27) billion worth of investments in the city. It also generated PHP188 (USD3.24) million in government tax revenue for the city in 2024 alone, further fueling Davao City’s economic development.

Moreover, the ADDU report said the DCBWSP generated PHP1.1 (USD0.02) billion gross revenue and contributions to Davao City’s gross regional domestic product in 2024. 

“The DCBWSP is an example of how PPPs can have a meaningful impact on the communities it serves, ” said Ramon Aboitiz Tuason, AIC Assistant Vice President for Operations.

Further, the DCBWSP illustrates how private capital can contribute to social and economic benefits for the public.

Meanwhile, Canilao also said that AIC’s goal is to replicate Davao’s success in other provinces, such as the planned PHP5.12 (USD0.09) billion bulk water project in Iloilo City.

Similar to DCBWSP, the proposed Iloilo City Bulk Water Supply Project is an unsolicited PPP with the Iloilo City government to deliver 86 MLD of potable water to several households and distributors. 

“The PPP model empowers both sectors to have improved synergy in resolving water supply issues in their respective communities. Not only are we able to strategically invest in sectors that need attention, the PPP also allows a clear separation of functions between supplying and distributing water, maximizing operational efficiency and effectiveness,” Canilao said. 

AIC Water’s portfolio stands at 320 MLD, empowering communities with sustainable water. It operates the country’s largest bulk water treatment facility through Apo Agua in Davao City; provides end-to-end water and wastewater services to the 2,000-hectare footprint of AIC Economic Estates; and holds a strategic stake at the Balibago Waterworks, the country’s fourth largest water concessionaire.

About Aboitiz InfraCapital
Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, aims to build purpose-driven infrastructure that spurs economic growth and improves lives. Now in its 10th year, it develops Economic Estates as well as Water, Digital Infrastructure and Transport & Mobility projects that enable businesses and uplift communities.

Aboitiz InfraCapital’s current business units include Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc., which, together with the Davao City Water District, operates the award-winning Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project, the country’s largest bulk water supply facility.

Other business units include TARI Estate in Tarlac; LIMA Estate and LIMA Water Corporation in Batangas; MEZ2 Estate and West Cebu Estate in Cebu; Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. in Davao City; and Unity Digital Infrastructure, Inc.

Aboitiz InfraCapital also has a minority stake in Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., the country’s fourth-largest water concessionaire.

In addition, Aboitiz InfraCapital operates Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu, Laguindingan International Airport in Misamis Oriental, and Bohol-Panglao International Airport, the country’s second-, sixth- and ninth-busiest gateways, respectively.