The local government of Puerto Princesa in Palawan has launched the commercial operations of a facility that treats both septage and sewage water.
Constructed through public-private partnership, the Puerto Princesa innovative economical septage and sewage treatment plant (PPieSSTP) is capable of treating as much as 2 million liters of sewage waste and 70 liters of septage waste daily.
The facility, located at the Baywalk in Barangay Tagumpay, is operated by the Puerto Princesa Water Reclamation and Learning Center Inc. (PPWRLC), together with the city government of Puerto Princesa and Faith Lived Out Visions 2 Ventures Holdings Inc. (FLOV2VS) in cooperation with the Puerto Princesa City Water District.
FLOV2VS is a joint venture of JCA 1221 Holdings Inc. and Vivant Hydrocore Holdings Inc.
“Puerto Princesa Bay is in the heart of the city and it can be an asset or it can be a liability.
If we do not treat the city’s wastewater before it is discharged into the bay, nature will be unable to clean it and if that happens, Puerto Princesa will lose something big. But if we ensure that the bay remains pristine, it will become an asset, especially for tourism,” said Lucilo Bayron, Puerto Princesa City mayor.
Jehremiah Asis, PPWRLC president, said the facility ensures that septage and sewage wastewater discharged into the bay is fit for re-use in firefighting, watering plants and other non-potable applications after treatment.
Asis said PPieSSTP is designed to capture and treat the top three largest domestic outfalls of the city into Puerto Princesa Bay, with its capacity open for possible expansion in the future.
Asis added the facility supports climate change adaptation strategies to address water security especially as part of its energy demand is supplied by solar energy. Also, the entire complex is envisioned to become a knowledge center to showcase the long-term value of wastewater treatment.
Jess Anthony Garcia, Vivant Hydrocore president and chief executive officer, said the facility also ensures sustainable livelihood of the fisherfolk and other sectors by making wastewater in the area compliant with the environmental standards. — Jed Macapagal
