Manila Water Philippine Ventures subsidiary Boracay Water said it will continue to intensify water and wastewater service improvement in Boracay Island amid the recovery of tourism from the impact of the pandemic.
The company allotted P1.1 billion for its 2021-2025 service improvement plan that is also meant to help ensure compliance to regulatory service obligations especially that tourist arrivals in the island increased by 434 percent to 1,759,100 tourists in 2022 from 330,622 in 2021.
Boracay Water said for the next three years, it will upgrade and rehabilitate Nabaoy and Caticlan pumping stations, the Caticlan water treatment plant and its water network to ensure the distribution and availability of water 24/7 even in the event of a natural calamity, such as typhoons and earthquakes.
Under its social flagship program Tubig Para sa Barangay that aims to provide sustainable water to low-income households, the company also started last January a water pipelaying project in Barangay Yapak costing P1.2 million which will benefit 160 households.
On wastewater management, Boracay Water is upgrading its sewage treatment plants in Barangay Balabag and Manoc-manoc to comply with the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in updating general effluent standards.
The company also provides support to the Environmental Management Bureau and the local government unit of Malay in implementating the Clean Water Act, allotting P108 million to provide free mandatory sewer connection to 1,810 households residing within 100 meters from the available sewer network starting this year.
Boracay Water said the program ensures wastewater will be treated before being discharged to the water bodies in Boracay. The program also encourages establishments that are within 100 meters to connect to the available sewer network of the company to ensure sustainability and protection of the island’s beaches.
The company added part of the fund allotment will be used for the protection of the environment through its Highland to Ocean program to protect the Nabaoy river and watershed which is the lone source of water of Boracay Island.
Boraca Water said to date, 40 hectares of land comprising the watershed have been adopted for appropriate management and 33,320 trees have been committed for planting in the next five years. – Jed Macapagal
