THE DAVAO City Water District (DCWD) is ready to rollout the proposed P300-million septage project, but it is still awaiting the local government’s approval. “The DCWD is ready to invest P300 million for the project,” said spokesperson Bernardo D. Delima Jr. The project requires a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the city government, but the city council has yet to pass the ordinance giving the mayor authority to sign. Mr. Delima said the budget will initially cover the construction of two treatment plants. Waste from household septic tanks will be collected by DCWD for a fee, which is also pending approval. “It is similar to the environmental fee as in other places… Whatever is the amount of water that you use, it is also the amount of water that you waste,” he explained. Under the proposed city council ordinance on the project, the city government would “adopt and implement a comprehensive and integrated septage and sewerage management program, which shall among others, reduce, if not eliminate, the prevalence of waterborne and excreta-related diseases and pollution in bodies of water and encourage greater public-private partnership.” — Carmelito Q. Francisco

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