Libertad sewage treatment plant to help restore Manila Bay
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led the groundbreaking for the establishment of a sewage treatment plant (STP) and wastewater interceptor Friday in Pasay City.
In his speech, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said the STP, to be constructed in four months adjacent to the Libertad Pumping Station, is the second to be installed in partnership with the MMDA. The first one is located along Roxas Boulevard, launched last year.
“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,” said Cimatu.
“We proudly support another project with the MMDA that also promises to give the best results,” added Cimatu. “With this STP, no untreated wastewater from Tripa De Gallina and Libertad Pumping Station will flow into the Manila Bay.”
While the DENR will fund the STP’s construction, MMDA will be in-charge of its maintenance and operation.
MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos said the Libertad STP is one of the government measures being undertaken as part of the Manila Bay Cleanup program that will help improve the quality of water being discharged to the bay.
“This is a good partnership between the DENR and the MMDA. The STP is capable of treating 10 million liters of wastewater per day from the retarding pond of the Libertad Pumping Station before being discharged to Manila Bay,” said Abalos.
For their part, Pasay City District Rep. Antonino Calixto and City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, who attended the event, thanked Cimatu and Abalos for the establishment of the STP that will rehabilitate, restore and maintain the historic Manila Bay.
Pursuant to the Writ of Continuing Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court for the Manila Bay, President Rodrigo Duterte issued Administrative Order No. 16 series of 2019, entitled “Expediting the Rehabilitation and Restoration of the Coastal and Marine Ecosystem of the Manila Bay and Creating the Manila Bay Task Force” that implemented the ongoing clean-up activities within South Manila area jointly undertaken by DENR, MMDA and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
These activities include dredging of the Manila Bay and esteros, desilting of drainage mains, and drainage of laterals that directly discharge into the bay.
