Filinvest offers to help solve water problem: Desalination plant in city

CEBU, Philippines —  Another company is offering a solution to the long-time water problem in Cebu City via desalination.

Johnny Roxas, Filinvest Hitachi Omni Waterworks (FLOW) president and chief executive officer (CEO), paid Mayor Mike Rama a visit in his office recently to suggest sustainable solutions to the city’s water supply shortage.

FLOW is a joint venture between Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC) and Singapore-based Hitachi Aqua-Tech Engineering that aims to provide desalination, recycled water, and sewage treatment facilities across the Philippines.

The Filinvest Group proposed to increase the city’s water supply by utilizing seawater.

Roxas assured Rama that FLOW has the experience and expertise in desalination technology.

"We are committed to support the development and progress of Cebu City by addressing its water supply challenges,” he said in a statement sent to The Freeman.

Backed by Hitachi Aqua-Tech's expertise, Filinvest, Roxas said, is positioned “to provide long-term solutions to the water requirements of Cebu, possibly closing the gap on supply deficiency."

FLOW has water desalination and treatment plants in Lapulapu City that have been in operation for over five years already.

In the same statement, Mayor Rama was quoted as expressing a positive response.

“This partnership will bring affordable and sustainable solutions to our current water shortage, and I believe it will contribute to the development and progress of our city,” he said.

“With Filinvest’s expertise, we can address our water supply challenges, and most importantly, provide affordable water for all Cebuanos,” the mayor added.

In 2021, FLOW delivered 527,000 liters of free potable water to 12,000 Cebuano families in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette.

Hitachi Chief Operations Officer Tang Chay Wee and Filinvest Land, Incorporated President and CEO Tristan Las Marias were also present during the visit.

“The Filinvest Group remains dedicated to enabling the dreams of the Cebuanos and further strengthening our presence in the city,” Las Marias said.

“With the operation of these new water desalination and treatment plants, we aim to provide clean and sustainable water to the people of Cebu,” he further said.

FDC Water Utilities, Inc., a wholly owned unit of FDC power, and utilities arm FDC Utilities, Inc., will be the ones to operate the water desalination and treatment plants, which are projected to supply water to over 300,000 Cebuano households.

The Filinvest Group’s presence in Cebu (the home province of its founders, the Gotianun family) extends to office developments, hospitality, and banking and finance.

The Filinvest Group is also behind hospitality projects Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan and Quest Hotel and Conference Center, which offer world-class accommodations to tourists and business travelers.

The company’s banking subsidiary, EastWest Bank, also maintains an extensive branch and ATM network in Cebi City. RHM (FREEMAN)