The City Government of Puerto Princesa led the ceremonial commissioning of construction of P240-million sewage and septage treatment facility and learning center constructed within the 2,000 square meter reclaimed area at the City’s baywalk – a joint venture project aimed to manage household sewage and wastewater.
Three years ago, the joint venture agreement was signed by City Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron, Ecosystem Technologies International, Inc. (ESTII) President Robert So, and JCA 1221 Holdings Inc. president Atty. Jeremiah C. Asis.
The city government shared P25 million of the total project cost, while the P215 million was apportioned between ESTII and JCA 1221 Holdings.
Mayor Bayron said that the project will help reduce pollution in Puerto Princes Bay since the city’s sewage and other wastewater will now be treated before it will be discharge to the bay. The area for treatment will have three outfalls that will empty into the bay.
“Ito ay isa sa mga steps para ma save natin ang ating Puerto Princesa Bay. We have to do everything na ma save natin ito. A project that we should be very proud of kasi ito ay may kinalaman ng kinabukasan ng mga anak natin at ng mga anak ng mga anak natin,” Mayor Bayron declared in his message during the event.
Atty. Carlo B. Gomez, the City Environment and Natural Resources Officer commended Mayor Bayron for choosing to build the project which he described as “a very important environmental infrastructure facility and program”. He said that the baywalk has been considered as very strategic area for the wastewater treatment facility project which he considered as a big step in achieving pollution reduction measures.
“The City Ordinance No. 737 approved by the Sanggunian (Panlungsod) paved the way for the commencement of the Septage Management Program in Puerto Princesa City. We are proud because this fulfil our duty to comply with RA 9275 otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. Our actions today provides for the abatement and control of pollution from land-based sources and our approach to set up a water quality standards for the city,” he said.
Atty. Gomez explained that with the proper treatment of wastewater and other proper management of sewage, septage, floodwaters, etc. in place, is an action that act in accordance with our intergenerational responsibility thatevery generation has a responsibility to the next generation to preserve that rhythm and harmony for the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology. The doctrine of intergenerational responsibility—a present-day duty for the benefit of forthcoming generations, is the doctrine famously pronounced by the Supreme Court in the case of Oposa vs. Factoran.
Atty. Asis of ESTII said that the technology use is a sequence batch reactor (SBR), an active sludge process that uses aeration and biological floc composed of bacteria and protozoa to treat wastewater. The process of treating wastewater is more on the bacteriological aspect and will not use chemicals.
Abygail Villafuerte of ESTII, said their company pioneered the SBR and Sequence Bio-Membrane Reactor (SBMR) technologies, among others, allowing biological recovery of multiple sources of contaminated water for reuse. Their clients include the Capitol Common in Pasig, SM Aura Premiere, the US Embassy, and St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig. Their company was also responsible for constructing a wastewater treatment facility on Pamalican Island for the Amanpulo luxury resort in Cuyo, preventing it from discharging untreated water into the sea. She said the plant they constructed in Cebu sometime in 1997 has not required any significant repair in the past 20 years.
Atty. Gomez said that with the presence of this wastewater treatment facility in the city, this is expected to attract potential investors such as hotels, subdivision, agricultural industries, etc. while at the same time, significantly prevent wastewater dumping in our water bodies, because we have now this facility. New potential investments for the city will help uplift the socio-economic conditions of the local residents and pump prime local economic activities.