Maynilad sets P21.1-B wastewater treatment plan

Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) is building four sewerage treatment plants worth P21.1 billion in the next five years to service 2.1 million customers.

The treatment plants would be built in Kawit in Cavite, Las Pinas, Caloocan and Muntinlupa, the west zone concessionaire said. The combined treatment capacity of all four would be 120 million cubic meters per year.

Maynilad earlier said it would embark on a P30.6-billion wastewater management program for the years 2018-2022. The budget would also be used to upgrade existing sewage treatment plants in order to comply with the new effluent standards imposed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

About P318 million of the budget is intended for the procurement of 56 new vacuum truck units that the firm would use for septic tank cleaning services for customers.

The rest of the budget would be for sewer network repair and rehabilitation, lot acquisitions, and retrofitting of wastewater facilities.

“The construction of these new wastewater facilities is part of our effort to comply with the Supreme Court [ruling] to help improve water quality in Manila Bay. It is our sincere hope that other Manila Bay stakeholders will likewise do their part so we can gain significant ground in this endeavor,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito S. Fernandez.

The five-year project would be backed by loans from local and international banks and internally generated funds.

The entire program is expected to generate 93,500 jobs. —MA. CASELDA D. CRUZ