Maynilad earmarks P1.6B for sewage treatment plants

MAYNILAD WATER Services Inc., led by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. and DMCI Holdings, will spend P1.6 billion to build 11 sewage treatment plants (STPs) this year.

In a statement, Maynilad said it would construct the facilities in Bagbag, Tatalon, Tandang Sora, Baesa, Samson, Del Monte, Bahay Toro, San Antonio, Paltok and Doña Imelda in Quezon City and in Paco, Manila.

The 11 STPs will have a total treatment capacity of 57,000 cubic meters per day (cmd) of wastewater.

Maynilad president and CEO Ricky Vargas said the sewerage facilities would not only allow the company achieve its target of providing full wastewater service coverage, but will also help protect the environment and contribute to the health, wellness and safety of the communities it serves through the proper treatment of wastewater.

Maynilad now has three STPs with a combined capacity of 470,000 cmd.

The water concessionaire also bared plans to expand its wastewater coverage using a combined sewerage system, which will allow wastewater flow from existing drainage to be collected for treatment before being discharged to major bodies of water.

The west zone concessionaire has earmarked P78.8 billion for its sewerage and sanitation program from 2008 to 2037. For this year, alone, Maynilad is allocating P2.3 billion for wastewater projects.

Since Maynilad was acquired by MPIC and DMCI in 2007, the water concessionaire has already invested nearly P2 billion in improving wastewater services. It has connected more than 6,000 accounts to its sewer network, and has treated nearly 191 million cubic meters of wastewater.

The company has also cleaned nearly 225,000 septic tanks of Maynilad customers who are not yet connected to a sewer line.

Maynilad said it was also supporting multi-sectoral efforts to clean up major water systems such as the Pasig River and Manila Bay. The company is heavily involved in the ongoing Estero de Paco improvement program through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC). This program aims to improve the condition of the Estero de Paco—one of the main tributaries of the Pasig River.