Manila Water, the East Zone concessionaire of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, has finally covered the whole province of Rizal through a partnership seal signing with the governor and mayors of the lone city of Antipolo and the municipalities and towns of Jalajala, Baras, Tanay, Teresa, Cardona, Angono, Binangonan, Cainta, Rodriguez, San Mateo, Taytay, Morong, Pililia, and their respective city and municipal environment and natural resources (C/MENRO) officers.
During the signing of the partnership agreement, Manila Water President and CEO Ferdinand Dela Cruz shared with Governor Rebecca ‘”Nini” Ynares and the Rizal town mayors the significance of the “Toka Toka” advocacy, the first and only environmental movement in the Philippines on used water management as a vital contributor in reviving our rivers and waterways.
Dela Cruz also assured that Manila Water is focused on its development plans until the end of concession agreement in 2037 as he recognized MWSS for approving its business and service improvement plan that includes programs that will further improve water, used water and sanitation services not only eastern Metro Manila but also for Rizal Province.
He also cited that Manila Water will complete six more sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the whole province of Rizal with total capacity of 300 million liters per day (MLD) to start with the construction of the 16-MLD capacity Hinulugang Taktak STP which was also unveiled during the program.
Several Rizal local executives attended the Toka Toka partnership seal signing that included Rizal Vice-Governor Reynaldo San Juan, Angono Mayor Gerry Calderon, Baras Mayor Katherine Robles, San Mateo Mayor Cristina Diaz, Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula, Morong Mayor Armando San Juan, Pililla Mayor Leandro Masikip, Jalajala Vice-Mayor Jolet Delos Santos, Teresa Vice-Mayor Jeriel Villegas, Binangonan Councilor Isidro Pacis, Antipolo City Planning and Development Office Head Rowena Zapanta, Cainta Municipal Administrator Angel Talaga Rodriguez Municipal Engineer Alexander Almario along with Manila Water executives.
Also providing support for the environmental advocacy are MWSS-RO Chief Regulator Atty. Patrick Ty and MWSS-CO Deputy Manager for Research and Standards Development Byron Carbon representing MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco.
Among the programs that were included in the partnership seal signing are the commitment of LGUs on the activities and initiatives of Lingap Sapa for creek clean-up activities; participation in the Lakbayan program, an educational and facility tour of Manila Water; environmental content sharing in digital channels as well as support to water and other used water environmental projects of Manila Water.
In her speech, Gov. Ynares also underscored the importance of environmental programs that will address climate change. Ynares also commended Manila Water for its project to implement the construction of a sewage treatment plant near the Hinulugang Taktak Falls, a famous tourist destination in the province. She likewise thanked the company for assisting the province in its many water and used water programs and expressed optimism in a strengthened long-lasting partnership.
Manila Water also gave plaques and certificates to all the partner-municipalities and environmental officers as well as a commemorative landscaped desk plant to the provincial government as a symbol of the newly-sealed partnership under the administration of Governor Ynares.
The symbolic bamboo plant also represents Rizal province’s efforts in planting bamboo trees as a sustainable material for construction and for its reforestation initiatives.
“Toka Toka” movement which was started in 2012 aims to drive everyone to do his share or “toka” to protect the environment which can translate into any of the four ownable acts: (i) segregating and disposing wastes properly, (ii) availing Manila Water’s desludging service every 5 years, (iii) connecting to Manila Water’s sewer line and (iv) educating the community through various information drives.
Manila Water is the private concessionaire of MWSS that serves more than 6.8 million residents in the eastern portion of Metro Manila and the province of Rizal.