The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have partnered for another project that seeks to protect Manila Bay's waters from further pollution.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos and DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu led on Friday, July 16 the groundbreaking ceremony for a new sewage treatment plant (STP) and wastewater interceptor in Pasay City that, once constructed, would address the problem of wastewater discharge to the historic bay.
"With this STP, no untreated waste water from Tripa De Gallina and Libertad Pumping Station will flow into the Manila Bay," Cimatu said.
“We proudly support another project with the MMDA that also promises to give the best results...“The sewage treatment plant in the Baywalk area in partnership with MMDA now shows water quality results as low as 1.8 mpn (most probable number) per 100 ml. This level is most certainly within the fecal coliform standard of 200 mpn per 100 ml,” noted Cimatu.
The DENR head honcho was referring to the STP along Roxas Boulevard, which was launched last year. The STP to be constructed adjacent to the Libertad Pumping Station is the second one planned in partnership with the MMDA.
Abalos had nothing but good things to say about the joint project.
“This is a good partnership between the DENR and the MMDA. The STP is capable of treating 10 million liters of waste water per day from the retarding pond of the Libertad Pumping Station before being discharged to Manila Bay,” said Abalos.
He said the Libertad STP--which is estimated to be finished wihtin four months--is among the steps being undertaken by government to clean up Manila Bay.
While the DENR will fund the STP’s construction, the MMDA will be in charge of the maintenance and operations of the facility.
Meanwhile, Pasay City Rep. Antonino Calixto and Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, who also attended the event, expressed their appreciation to Cimatu and Abalos for the planned construction of the STP that will rehabilitate, restore, and maintain Manila Bay.