Ayala Land builds seawater facility to support Lio Estate expansion
Ayala Land is constructing a seawater reverse osmosis facility at its Lio Estate in El Nido, Palawan, to provide up to 500 cubic metres of potable water daily from August 2027. The plant will diversify water sources and support new projects including the Balai Adlao Expansion, Sitio Aplaya and a wat
Listed developer Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) is building a seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) facility at its Lio Estate in El Nido, Palawan, as it expands tourism, hospitality, residential and commercial developments in the estate. The facility is expected to begin operations in August 2027 and produce up to 500 cubic metres of potable water per day, ALI said in a statement on Monday.
The SWRO facility will provide an additional source of water alongside Lio’s existing groundwater wells and is intended to help meet future demand as the estate expands, the company said. “As Lio continues to grow, we want to make sure our infrastructure is always a step ahead of demand, not catching up to it. This facility is part of that long-term view — strengthening what we already have in place and preparing Lio for the years ahead,” Ayala Land Leisure Estates Head Cris Zuluaga said.
The facility will be developed and operated by Estate Water, a division of Manila Water Philippine Ventures, Inc. ALI said the additional capacity would serve existing estate requirements and planned developments, including the Balai Adlao Expansion, Tara Hostel, Estate Support Facilities, additional retail offerings, and Sitio Aplaya, a residential-commercial district.
The company said the new facility would diversify Lio’s water sources and reduce its reliance on groundwater, particularly during periods of higher demand. The facility will use SWRO technology to treat seawater and produce potable water designed to meet the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water and applicable regulatory requirements. ALI said the project would comply with required environmental permits and safeguards during construction and operations.
“The SWRO facility provides an additional source of supply that will strengthen Lio’s overall water security and help ensure greater reliability, particularly during periods of increased demand,” Estate Water Technical Services Head Rubenson Cruz said.
The project comes as ALI develops additional facilities within its 320-hectare master-planned coastal estate in El Nido. The company is developing the next phase of Sitio Aplaya, a 16.3-hectare mixed-use district near Lio Beach. Other projects in the estate’s pipeline include a 3.7-kilometre waterfront boardwalk, a transport terminal and events pavilion, a visitor centre, and pedestrian pathways connecting the estate to Lio Airport. ALI has also been expanding its hospitality portfolio in Palawan. Earlier this year, the company reopened Lagen Island Resort following its refurbishment.
On Monday, ALI shares rose 1.2 per cent, or 18 centavos, to close at P15.18 apiece.