PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inaugurated on Friday the Aglipay Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Mandaluyong, a 60-million-liters-per-day capacity facility intended to improve water quality in Metro Manila’s waterways.
The president, together with Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Leonor Cleofas, Manila Water President and Chief Executive Officer Roberto Locsin, and Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos, led the unveiling of the project marker signifying the official opening of the facility. Marcos then proceeded to the Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor area of the Aglipay STP to inspect the wastewater treatment process.
Speaking at the event, Marcos said the new sewage treatment plant was a concrete step toward fulfilling the government’s responsibility to ensure access to clean water for all Filipinos. The Aglipay STP will serve a 2,115-hectare catchment area in Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Quezon City, benefiting more than 650,000 residents.
“Beyond the machinery, fascinating as it is, what really matters is the result, and that is cleaner water returned to the environment and reduced exposure of our people to the hazards of untreated sewage,” the president said.
“This is how a carefully planned and thoroughly executed infrastructure directly improves the lives of our people,” he added.
President Marcos said the project’s impact would be felt daily in households, rivers, and communities. The P3.93-billion facility, managed by Manila Water, can treat up to 60 million liters of wastewater per day and is designed to expand to 120 million liters per day as the population in the area grows.
“This means that more liters of safe water are available for public consumption and more rivers and seas are preserved for future generations,” said Marcos, adding that wastewater treatment was essential to public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
Moreover, the president said that by reducing the amount of untreated wastewater flowing into rivers, the plant would help improve local water quality and support the long-term rehabilitation of Manila Bay.
“These are not abstract aspirations, but concrete and measurable actions towards protecting our [environment] and restoring our natural resources,” he added.
Marcos also stated that the government’s efforts did not stop with the Aglipay STP, with five more wastewater treatment plants currently under construction as part of the administration’s push to strengthen water and sanitation infrastructure in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
CATHERINE S. VALENTE
“Guided by the Revised Concession Agreement under Republic Act Nos. 11600 and 11601, our goal is this: by 2047, 76 percent of households in Metro Manila, in Cavite, and Rizal will be connected to sewerage systems, and sanitation services will cover the remaining 24 percent,” Marcos said. “This means that no community is left without safe and responsible wastewater management,” he added.
Marcos recognized Manila Water and Megawide Consortium for their role in building and operating the facilities, noting their expertise was vital in meeting environmental standards and providing reliable service.
“This forms a part of our larger vision: a Philippines where economic progress goes hand in hand with environmental stewardship, strong public health systems, and people-centered service delivery,” he added. However, the president said that infrastructure alone was not enough and called on government agencies, the private sector, and the public to practice responsible waste disposal and maintain clean surroundings.
“So, I call on everyone — the government, private sector, and the citizens alike: Let us all do our part. Protect our waterways. Keep our surroundings clean and healthy,” Marcos said. “As we move forward, let us remember: water connects us all. Just as clean water flows through healthy rivers, let responsible governance and community discipline flow through our communities — to bring good health, dignity, and hope to every Filipino,” he added.
