Public, private sectors undergo septage management program

CEBU - Local government units and representatives of the private sector in Metro Cebu recently participated in the Septage Management Program initiated by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District, United States Agency International Development and Philippine Sanitation Alliance

Presidential Decree 198 or the Provincial Water Utilities Act of 1973 mandates water districts nationwide to conduct proper sewerage management by emptying septic tanks regularly.

One third of all diseases nationwide are reportedly due to water pollution and that 31 Filipinos die each day from diarrhea alone.

A study conducted by the World Bank revealed that more than 90 percent of the sewage generated in the country is not treated, resulting to high incidence of water-borne diseases and to economic losses. The highest loss was recorded at P78 billion in a year.

The two-day workshop last Monday and Tuesday was attended by representatives from the business community, academe, government agencies and non-government organizations.

The program was aimed at introducing the concept of septage management to Metro Cebu stakeholders, as well as to develop a promotional campaign to raise awareness of the need for septage management

Michael Balazo, assistant general manager of the Technical Services Group of MCWD, said septic tanks in each household should be water-tight, tanks should be emptied of septage once every after three or five years, and that the septage should be treated.

February this year, MCWD and USAID funded-Philippine Water Revolving Fund-Support Program signed a memorandum of understanding wherein MCWD and PWRF-SP jointly undertook a feasibility study and draft a business model for septage management services in Metro Cebu and neighboring municipalities.

The MOU was signed after MCWD received a grant of $40,000 from USAID to finance the said project. The feasibility study is expected to end within this month.

The MCWD septage management program also recommended the construction of a 170- cubic meter per day septage treatment plant and a procurement of five vacuum trucks that will serve Cebu City households.

The proposed projects are estimated to cost P150.64 million wherein P122.04 million is for the septage treatment plant and P28.60 million goes to the vacuum trucks.

If the projects materialize, customers in Cebu City will have to pay a five percent environmental fee to cover the cost for the project or an average of P23 per month for five years. -Cressida Paula G. Delmo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)