Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and DMCI Holdings-led Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) will spend around P1.6 billion to build 11 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) this year.
Maynilad will construct the additional STPs in Bagbag, Tatalon, Tandang Sora, Baesa, Samson, Del Monte, Bahay Toro, San Antonio, Paltok, Doña Imelda in Quezon City and Paco in Manila. The STPs will have a total treatment capacity of 57,000 cu.m per day (cmd) of wastewater and will serve parts of the San Juan River catchment, as well as Paco area.
Currently, Maynilad has three STPs with a combined capacity of 470,000 cmd. The company also plans to expand its wastewater coverage using a combined sewerage system (CSS), which will allow wastewater flow from existing drainages to be collected for treatment before being discharged to major bodies of water.
According to Maynilad President and CEO Ricky Vargas, the additional sewerage facilities are part of their strategic plan to provide full wastewater service coverage in the West Zone. He also stressed the importance of these infrastructures. “Through proper treatment of wastewater, we protect the environment and contribute to the health, wellness and safety of the communities we serve,” added Vargas.
The West zone concessionaire has earmarked P78.8 billion for its Sewerage & Sanitation program from 2008 to 2037. For this year, Maynilad allocated P2.3 billion for its wastewater projects.
Since its reprivatisation in 2007, Maynilad has invested nearly P2 billion to improve wastewater services in its concession area. It has connected over 6,000 accounts to its sewer network, and has treated nearly 191 million cu.m. of wastewater. The company has also cleaned nearly 225,000 septic tanks of Maynilad customers who are not yet connected to a sewer line.
Aside from building the additional STPs, Maynilad also supports multi-sectoral efforts to clean up major water systems such as the Pasig River and Manila Bay. The company is heavily involved in the on-going Estero de Paco improvement program through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC). The program aims to improve the condition of the Estero de Paco – one of the main tributaries of the Pasig River.
“We are fast tracking our wastewater projects because this is our commitment to the government and to our current and future customers,” said Engr. Tony Garcia, Maynilad’s Head of Wastewater Management.
Maynilad is the largest private water concessionaire in the Philippines in terms of customer base. It is a concessionaire of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the West Zone of the Greater Manila Area, which is composed of the cities of Manila (all but portions of San Andres & Sta Ana), Quezon City (west of San Juan River, West Avenue, EDSA, Congressional, Mindanao Avenue, the northern part starting from the Districts of the Holy Spirit & Batasan Hills), Makati (west of South Super Hi-way), Caloocan, Pasay, Paranaque, Las Pinas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon all in Metro Manila; Cavite City, and the towns of Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario, all in Cavite Province.
IN PHOTO: Maynilad is accelerating the construction of its STPs to help protect the environment and the health of its customers.