$275M World Bank wastewater loan approved for Maynilad, Manila Water

To help Metro Manila and its two water service concessionaires deal with two million cubic meters of wastewater per day, the World Bank approved a loan package of $275 million for two sewerage treatment plants.   The Metro Manila Wastewater Management Project (MWMP) was designed to to increase collection and treatment of wastewater from households and other establishments in the metropolis.   Implementors of the 25-year undertaking are Manila Water Company and Maynilad Water Services—the two service concessionaires—while loan conduit is the Land Bank of the Philippines. The World Bank's board of executive directors approved the loan Tuesday.   “MWMP will help both concessionaires embark on this ambitious program by supporting investments in selected catchment areas, thus addressing the growing needs for improved wastewater management and sanitation in Metro Manila,” said Land Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Gilda E. Pico.   For the Manila Water component $193.4 million will be spent on a sewage treatment plant and associated sewage lines covering North and South Pasig.   According to Manila Water, the North and South Pasig sewerage system project covers a total area of 3,443 hectares and includes Pasig City, portions of Mandaluyong City and Quezon City and municipalities of Cainta and Taytay.   The Maynilad component costs $178.3 million in sewage treatment plants and associated wastewater conveyance systems in Quezon City, Pasay, Alabang, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, and a septage treatment plant in the southern part of Metro Manila.   With 12 million people, Metro Manila is located in the Laguna Lake-Pasig River-Manila Bay corridor. Streaking through it are more than 30 tributaries, most of which are highly polluted.   Only 17 percent of the metropolis’ wastewater gets treated before being discharged into water channels in and around the metropolis, and finally flows into Manila Bay.   World Bank Country Director Motoo Konishi said inadequate sanitation imposes severe costs on the economy and the population. Economic losses from inadequate sanitation nationwide—due to health costs and impacts on water quality, tourism, and welfare of the population—are estimated to be around 1.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).   “Water quality improvements in rivers and other water channels in and around the metropolis including Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay will help to improve the environment, and eventually enhance recreational and tourism opportunities,” Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima noted in a statement. — ELR, GMA News