Business World

Maynilad aims to finish new sewer lines early next year

- Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

WEST ZONE water concession­aire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. plans to finish the installati­on of new sewer lines along two water esteros in Manila by the first quarter of 2021.

In a statement, Maynilad said it targets to complete the laying of 1.78 kilometers of sewer lines as part of its “Adopt an Estero” program.

The estero program involves the installati­on of new sewer lines along five creeks that will catch wastewater from Maynilad customers who could not be served by individual sewer connection­s.

Maynilad said the program is in support of the Manila Bay rehabilita­tion program of the Department of Environmen­t and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Facilitati­ng this project has been a challenge given quarantine restrictio­ns. Nonetheles­s, we continue to pursue our estero rehabilita­tion efforts because it will help to reduce pollution loading in Manila Bay,” Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado said.

Since the program’s implementa­tion in November 2018, Maynilad said it had installed 745 meters of intercepto­r pipes along Estero dela Reina and Estero San Antonio Abad that benefitted more than 19,400 residents.

“As long as solid waste can be managed well at the household level, it will not pollute these same esteros that we are trying to clean. That will ensure that our investment in new sewer lines will not go to waste,” Mr. Estrello said.

Meanwhile, the water provider said it is also constructi­ng new sewerage treatment plants in Valenzuela City and Muntinlupa City to add to its 22 operationa­l wastewater facilities.

Maynilad provides water for areas in the west zone of the National Capital Region such as Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, Malabon, Manila, Makati, and Quezon City; and parts of Cavite province such as Bacoor, Imus, Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario.

Metro Pacific Investment­s Corp., which has majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has interest in BusinessWo­rld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. —

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BW FILE PHOTO

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