The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the French Development Agency (AFD) are collaborating to strengthen Pasay City’s household waste management and improve Pasig River’s water quality. The three-year project is estimated to cost PHP 35.5 million (USD 721,000) which is mainly financed by AFD through a PHP 24.2 million (USD 491,000) grant.
Syctom, the lead agency that manages the treatment of household wastes in Paris region, is going to lead the project that will involve the development of water treatment solutions at the Tripa de Gallina pumping station. It is one of the most critical and vital pumping stations that is directly connected to the Manila Bay. Syctom will deploy its wastewater phytotreatment system that will service 20,000-25,000 residents of various barangays in Pasay City.
Syctom will implement a multi-channel platform that includes electromechanical composting unit for organic waste (to treat around 40% to 50% of household waste deposit), a reinforced Material Recovery Facility (a small-scale waste disposal and transfer center) for the management of recyclables, recovery of hazardous waste such as electrical and electronic equipment waste, and treatment of screen waste or waste whose level of contamination does not allow recycling. The same system is also being used by the Greater Paris Interdepartmental Syndicate for Sanitation (SIAAP) in Paris.
The project ultimately seeks to improve the water quality and also reduce health risks on the Pasig River which has become a catchment basin for wastes brought by dumping or floods. Metro Manila produces about 6,700 tons of household waste per day. In the absence of an effective waste collection system, around 17% of the region’s waste from various neighborhoods ends up in the Pasig River.
Both MMDA and AFD hope to replicate the project throughout Metro Manila once the 3 year initial phase of raising awareness among local residents towards more sustainable practices is concluded.
(Sources: Page One; French Embassy in Manila; Manila Bulletin)
