DENR: Manila’s major water concessionaires also its biggest polluters

Metro Manila major water concessionaires Manila Water Co., Inc. and Maynilad Services, are also its biggest polluters, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon Paje told ANC’s Headstart, reports ABS-CBNNews.com.

Both are required to provide sewerage facilities within five years from the implementation of Republic Act 9275, as prescribed in the Clean Water Act of 2004. Paje said the water treatment facility is still incomplete, which means wastewater flows to Pasig River and Manila Bay, reports ABS-CBNNews.com. Paje claimed only 12 percent of the metro have a sewerage system, lesser compared to Kathmandu, Nepal.

Manila Water Corporate Communications Chief Jeric Sevilla said 16 percent of their concession area have been covered as of last year. At the end of 2010, there will supposedly be 30 percent coverage. "We have to remember that when Manila Water took over, the sewered area is only three percent," Sevilla said.

Paje aims to impose community service on big and small polluters, reports ABS-CBNNews.com. "This is being done in many countries. In fact, in Singapore, it was very successful. It’s harsher, they will publish your picture on the front page of a newspaper," said Paje.