The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CALABARZON recently recognized Manila Water Non-East Zone operating unit Manila Water Philippine Ventures (MWPV) for its active support to the agency’s initiatives in implementing the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

During DENR’s “No to Waste: Advancing Circular Economy to Beat Plastic Pollution” environmental summit held at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, VisMin Regional Operations Group Director Robbie Vasquez received the plaque of recognition on behalf of MWPV. Estate Water’s Regulatory Planning and Compliance Manager Jun Principe also received a Certificate of Recognition for the same cause.

Among the Non-East Zone’s initiatives for solid waste management are the sustainable and effective management of non-hazardous and hazardous waste. The Company’s non-hazardous waste management involves the proper disposal of biosolids, grits and screenings from raw wastewater, and sludge from water treatment. Biosolids from Boracay Water facilities are hauled, composted, and used as a soil conditioner. Laguna Water’s biosolids are transported to a third-party facility that uses the biosolids as raw material in its Waste-to-Energy facility. Clark Water dries and stores biosolids in a drying pond in its property.

Other non-hazardous solid waste generated in offices and facilities are segregated and disposed properly. Recyclable materials are sold to junk shops while old meters are sold to recyclers.

For management of hazardous waste, all business units in the Non-East Zone shifted to the use of LED lighting to reduce the amount of damaged fluorescent lamps generated year-on-year. Various process improvements and innovations were also implemented to reduce hazardous waste. Following DENR’s regulatory requirements, hazardous wastes are safely stored in hazardous waste storage. These are then transported, treated, and safely disposed through DENR-accredited service providers.

In compliance with DENR DAO 2014-02 or the Revised Guidelines on Pollution Control Officer Accreditation, MWPV has appointed Pollution Control Officers for all facilities which will ensure full compliance with all environmental and regulatory requirements set by DENR and other government agencies. Waste minimization and pollution prevention are being implemented through operational control measures needed to address significant environmental aspects and impacts.

This year, MWPV also intensified the desludging campaign of all its business units in the Non-East Zone, conducting more information, education, and communication campaigns to encourage its customers to avail the sanitation service offered by the Company at no additional cost to help ensure the proper treatment and management of wastewater before being discharged to bodies of water.

In 2019, Estate Water and Laguna Water also donated an air monitoring equipment to DENR which can real time check the air quality within Calabarzon.