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Marikina City and Manila Water observe WASH Day

Posted: Saturday May 3, 2008

Manila Water and Marikina City joined forces to commemorate Water Sanitation & Hygiene Day, more popularly known as WASH Day. The said event was also in celebration of Earth Day and the International Year of Sanitation.

The focus of Marikina’s WASH Day is Oplan: Todo Sipsip, a septic tank desludging program being implemented with Manila Water. The desludging program recognizes that regular septic tank maintenance can significantly reduce the pollution being discharged into water bodies like the Marikina River as well as prevent health risks due to septic tank overflows.

Septic tanks, also known as “poso negros,” act as primary treatment of household or domestic wastewater such as those coming from the toilet. When not maintained, septic tanks get filled with sludge, compromising its primary treatment function. In effect, pollution escapes the septic tanks adversely affecting ground water and nearby rivers. In Marikina, almost all households use septic tanks.

In his message, Manila Water Group Director for Business, Rene Almendras talked about all Mariqueños’ dream of swimming again in the now polluted Marikina River and reiterated Manila Water’s full support for the river’s rehabilitation. Aside from the septic tank desludging program, Manila Water will also be investing extensively for a sewer system for Marikina City.

Oplan: Todo Sipsip comes after the landmark Sanitation Ordinance of Marikina City, a first in Metro Manila, which prescribes standard design, construction and maintenance of septic tanks. Marikina City CENRO Gloria Buenaventura also explained how the program will also come with a component to educate residents of the importance of septic tank maintenance.

Also gracing the WASH day are Vice Mayor Marion Andres; Congressmen Del De Guzman and Marcie Teodoro; Cristina Estandarte, Manila Water Area Manager for Marikina; Dave Robbins of USAID-Eco Asia, another partner in the city’s sanitation initiatives, as well as owners of several food establishments who vowed with a ceremonial washing of hands for healthier Mariqueños and a revived Marikina River.