Mandaluyong: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday inaugurated the Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Mandaluyong, marking a significant step toward improving water quality, protecting the environment, and safeguarding public health.
According to Philippines News Agency, President Marcos emphasized the importance of access to clean water, describing it as a fundamental right that must be delivered to every Filipino. During his keynote speech, he highlighted the Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant's role in enhancing the water quality of Metro Manila waterways, serving a catchment area of 2,115 hectares across Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Quezon City, and benefiting over 650,000 residents.
The facility, built with an investment of PHP3.93 billion and managed by Manila Water, initially has the capacity to treat 60 million liters of wastewater daily, with potential expansion to 120 million liters per day to accommodate Metro Manila's growing population. Marcos stressed the plant's contribution to making more safe water available for public consumption and preserving the environment for future generations, positioning wastewater management and sanitation as crucial foundations for public health and sustainable development.
The President noted the plant's role in reducing pollution in waterways and supporting the long-term rehabilitation of Manila Bay, an essential environmental and economic resource. He emphasized the importance of tangible improvements in water quality and reduced exposure to untreated sewage as measures of the plant's success.
Beyond the inauguration, Marcos announced a broader government initiative to enhance water and sanitation services. He revealed that five additional wastewater treatment plants are under construction, guided by the Revised Concession Agreement under Republic Acts 11600 and 11601, with the goal of connecting 76 percent of households in Metro Manila, Cavite, and Rizal to sewerage systems by 2047, and providing the remaining 24 percent with proper sanitation services.
Marcos acknowledged the critical role of private partners, including Manila Water and the Megawide Consortium, in delivering these facilities, and called on citizens to exercise discipline to complement the clean facilities. He underscored the need for collective discipline and shared accountability to ensure progress, advocating for responsible governance and community discipline to bring health, dignity, and hope to every Filipino.
