DPWH is Manila Water’s new ‘Toka Toka’ partner

MANILA, Philippines - Seeking to further sustain its environmental advocacies, Ayala-led Manila Water recently added the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as its latest partner in the pioneering “Toka Toka” project, the one and only movement in the country focusing on used water management.

Manila Water East Zone Business Group director Ferdinand Dela Cruz said the Toka Toka partnership seal signing with the DPWH is very significant and symbolic in promoting environmental protection and awareness in the country.

“This is part of our commitment to environmental protection and the provision of wastewater services and environment sustainability,” Dela Cruz said.

For his part, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said the agency is committed to address the flooding in Metro Manila  which was again brought to fore last week when heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat” intensified by Typhoon “Maring” inundated large part of the metropolis.

Singson said the key to the problem is providing a solution to the solid waste problem.

“More than 60 percent of the waterways are clogged by domestic wastes. Part of our Toka is the flood control master plan as we have identified eight major priority waterways that we have to clean up such as the stretch of San Juan, Marikina, Tullahan, Manggahan, Balut area and Maricaban creek,” the DPWH chief said.

Singson added that DPWH would need to clear the waterways and “esteros” of more than 19,000 illegally-built shanties that directly discharge their wastes into the rivers.

The government said the 19,440 informal settler families (ISFs) living along these waterways is part of the 60,130 total of informal settlers living along or near the 273 esteros and creeks in the metropolis.

Singson also indicated the government’s desire  also to partner with Manila Water to put up combined drainage and sewerage treatment through the installation of interceptor pipes before domestic wastes are discharged  into the rivers.

Manila Water earlier engaged the DPWH in the campaign through the participation of more than 20 district engineers from its regional offices in the “Lakbayan” educational tour of the company.

Aside from the DPWH, the other government agencies engaged by Manila Water in the Toka Toka campaign are the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Toka Toka is Manila Water’s campaign focused on educating the general public on used water management. It zeroes in on simple acts that each individual can claim as their own share towards the ultimate goal of ensuring cleaner and safer rivers in Metro Manila.

Of particular attention is given to the three main tributaries in the metropolis: Marikina, Pasig and San Juan Rivers.

The four simple acts that each individual can claim as their own “toka” are: Proper disposal of garbage, desludging of one’s septic tanks at home, connecting one’s home to Manila Water’s sewer line, and supporting Manila.