Manila Water Company formally inaugurated the Hinulugang Taktak Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) during a simple ceremony at the project site in Antipolo City, on November 7.
A key component of Manila Water’s P2.2-billion Hinulugang Taktak Sewerage System Project, the STP is designed to treat up to 16 million liters of wastewater per day.
It is strategically located near the iconic Hinulugang Taktak Falls, a historic 70-foot waterfall located in Antipolo City, and a popular natural attraction that has undergone significant rehabilitation to restore its natural beauty and facilities for visitors.
The park is managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Rizal Provincial Government, offers several activities and amenities, including a waterfall view, swimming pool, a canopy walk, wall climbing, and a picnic area.
The Sapang Baho River or sometimes referred to as the Taktak River is an important water source that feeds Hinulugang Taktak.
In a statement, Manila Water said the STP facility aims to protect water bodies in the Upper Marikina River Basin and support the rehabilitation of the national park.
The STP’s commissioning marks a significant step in Manila Water’s long-term goal of expanding sewer coverage and improving sanitation across the East Zone in close coordination with national and local government partners.
DENR Undersecretary Joselin Fragada Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares-Chiongbian, Antipolo City Mayor Casimiro ‘Jun’ Ynares III, and Vice Mayor Randy Puno Jr. attended the ceremony.
Also present were representatives from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), led by Chairperson Elpidio J. Vega, Administrator Leonor ‘Bobby’ Cleofas, and MWSS Regulatory Office Chief Regulator Patrick Lester N. Ty, along with their respective teams.
Manila Water President and CEO J.V. Emmanuel ‘Jocot’ de Dios led key officials of Manila Water, including Chief Operating Officer for East Zone Arnold Jether A. Mortera; Project Management Group Adviser Angel Gonzalez Angel Gonzalez; Program Management Director Renato C. Belmonte; Project Management Deputy Director Jocelyn M. General; Program Management Senior Manager Francis Erwin A. Cruz; East Zone Business Operations Director Shoebe Caong; and Rizal Business Operations Director Romely T. Paraiso.
‘It really is a commitment of Manila Water and the Razon Group to ensure that our hosts and partners work collaboratively to improve the quality of life for everyone. This [HT STP] is a living testament to what we want to accomplish,’ De Dios said.
For his part, Ynares said the collaborative effort boosts the protection of Hinulugang Taktak, an important water source.
‘Our collaboration is saving and preserving the allure of Hinulugang Taktak for future generations of Filipinos. Thank you for doing your part to ensure that the partnership we began seven years ago has become a successful endeavor,’ Ynares said.
Governor Nina Ynares-Chiongbian emphasized the importance of honoring Hinulugang Taktak’s heritage while embracing progress through the new STP
‘The inauguration of the HT STP today is about moving forward-about improvement and about tomorrow. However, we cannot reach tomorrow without looking to our past. Looking to the past gives value to Hinulugang Taktak,’ she said.
Undersecretary Fragada, representing DENR Secretary Rafael Lotilla, highlighted the alignment of Manila Water’s HT STP project with the national government’s efforts to create a climate-resilient citizenry.
‘This project aligns squarely with DENR’s overarching thrust, under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to build resilient, climate-smart, and sustainable communities through integrated environmental management,’ Usec. Fragada said in his keynote speech.
MWSS Administrator Bobby Cleofas emphasized the valuable contributions of private companies, such as Manila Water, in delivering sustainable services to Filipinos.
‘The Hinulugang TaktakSewage Treatment Plant is not only a triumph for the water sector but also a representation of an effective public-private partnership,’ MWSS Administrator Cleofas said.