MAYNILAD Water Services, Inc. is setting aside P378 million for its five-year sanitation program ending in 2022 as part of its mandate to help in protecting community health and the environment.
In a statement, the company said P318 million of the amount is allocated for the acquisition of 56 new vacuum truck units, which will expand its septic tank cleaning services to more customers.
“We appeal to our customers to have their septic tanks desludged because not doing so will result in serious environmental, health, and safety risks to their family and community,” Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez said.
Maynilad said the budget for the trucks include smaller vacuum truck units with a capacity of 4 cubic meters. The units can enter narrow alleys “so that formerly inaccessible houses may be reached and provided desludging services,” it said.
The company said the remaining amount will be used to buy more septage treatment equipment, which will allow for the projected increase in septage collected from septic tanks in the coming years.
It said the sanitation program is part of the company’s P30.6-billion wastewater management program for the next five years.
“Maynilad customers interested in availing of the company’s septic tank cleaning service may call the Maynilad Hot line 1626 to determine the requirements and procedures,” the company said.
Maynilad serves most of Manila, parts of Quezon and Makati cities, as well as the cities of Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Valenzuela, Navotas and Malabon. Its franchise area includes the cities of Bacoor and Imus and the municipalities of Kawit, Noveleta and Rosario in Cavite.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has a 52.8% stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc. Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld. — Victor V. Saulon
