Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco believes teamwork and adherence to the concept of shared responsibility will ensure the restoration of the Manila Bay waters to Class B level sea water according to the Water Classification Tables mandated under DENR Administrative Order No. 34.
“For the Manila Bay waters to be rehabilitated, restored and maintained to a level fit to swimming, skin diving and other contact forms of recreation, teamwork from all sectors is necessary,” Velasco said. “The concept of shared responsibility must be put into practice that will include responsible citizenship in disposing of garbage,” he added.
Velasco made the statement in the wake of Senate’s plan to look into the wastewater treatment and sewerage system in Metro Manila as proposed by Senator Cynthia Villar.
Poor and inefficient solid waste management as well as inadequacy of proper wastewater facilities had been identified as contributory to the worsening state of water in Manila Bay.
While MWSS and its concessionaires are constantly working to improve their services, they are faced with major challenges in their program implementation. These challenges include the availability of lots for wastewater treatment plants; bureaucratic red tape in permit acquisition; right-of-way problems that at times include the presence of illegal settlers; limited construction on streets; and unavailability of updated drainage master plan.
The work to rehabilitate Manila Bay, however, needs more than the construction of wastewater facilities and the collective efforts the government agencies named in the Supreme Court Writ. Cooperation and collaboration from every citizen is needed to solve operational challenges such as excessive debris and garbage; theft of appurtenances; and the low acceptance rate for desludging services.
A Writ of Continuing Mandamus was issued by the Supreme Court on Dec. 18, 2008 directing 13 government agencies to clean-up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay in their different capacities. Among these agencies is MWSS which under its mandate is directed to provide, install, operate, and maintain the necessary adequate wastewater treatment facilities in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Cavite were needed at the earliest possible time. The other agencies are the MMDA, DENR, DECS (DepEd), DoH, DA, DPWH, DBM, PCG, PNP Maritime Group, DILG, LWUA, and PPA.
Under the Writ, MWSS shall submit to the Court the list of areas in Metro Manila, Rizal and Cavite that do not have the necessary wastewater treatment facilities. The concessionaires of the MWSS were also asked to submit their plans and projects for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and their completion period for said facilities, which shall not go beyond 2037, the end of the concession agreements.
MWSS concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad have their respective wastewater treatment facilities and sanitation programs. Manila Water has 40 existing wastewater facilities with a total capacity of 310,267 cubic meters daily. Maynilad has 20 existing facilities with a total capacity of 541,417 cubic meters daily. Ongoing are the construction of an additional seven wastewater facilities for Maynilad and one for Manila Water. Maynilad has calendared 25 facilities for construction in the future while Manila Water has 11 projects in the future.