JICA execs due in Cebu to study proposed septage mgmt projects
A team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will visit Cebu next month to conduct surveys and further studies for the proposed septage management projects for Metro Cebu.
Metro Cebu Water District has applied for a P1 billion grant from JICA to build three septage treatment plants (STPs), including sludge reuse facilities.
The STPs will be built in Cebu City, Liloan town and Barangay San Miguel in Cordova, which serves the town and the neighboring Lapu-Lapu City.
Engineer Noel Dalena, MCWD general manager, said the three-month feasibility study is tentatively set in July to September this year.
Dalena presented the STP updates before the members of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordination Board during their second quarter meeting last week.
He said the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is currently reviewing the STP project proposal. Once approved, the NEDA central office will endorse the said project to JICA for funding.
The city government of Yokohama, Japan has expressed interest to undertake the project under the Japan government's Grant Aid program in line with United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (No.7.C), which is to provide access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
The STP aims to provide proper treatment and disposal of septage wastes. The program is expected to reduce pollution from untreated septage that allegedly is being dumped illegally by private haulers.
MCWD signed a contract in May 2015 with private contractor Envirokonsult Equipment Services Inc., which will operate the STP in Cordova for five years starting in the second quarter of 2016. Envirokonsult will provide trucks and equipment to be used for the STP.
The Cordova Municipal Government and the Lapu-Lapu City Government earlier passed ordinances providing mandatory desludging.
Dalena earlier said the cost of desludging and treatment of wastes will be paid by water consumers on installment basis. MCWD will collect P2.20 for every one cubic meter purchased by them which will be incorporated in the water bill.
He said desludging a septic tank costs P3,500 to P4,000.
He said that an average family can pay up to P52 a month or a total of P3,000 for five years. Those who are not MCWD consumers will have to pay in full.