A Paper On

ALABEL SEPTAGE TREATMENT FACILITY

Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bagacay, AlabelSarangani Province

Submitted To

Prof. ANTONIETTE PAÑA- TAUTHO

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTSOF GM 206 PHYSICAL SCIENCE

MELODY O. BALICATMSERM

October 24, 2015

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................. 3

Rationale:............................................................................................................................................. 3

SEPTAGE CONDITION IN THE PHILIPPINES........................................................................4

ALABEL AS MUNICIPALITY.....................................................................................................6

Description of the Project............................................................................................................ 9

I. ALABEL SEPTAGE AND TREATMENT FACILITY...............................................................12

II. MANAGEMENT OF ALABEL SEPTAGE AND TREATMENT FACILITY......17

CONLUSION: Bain work: Discourse.......................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION

Everyone has the responsibility to take care of the environment

considering that climate change is apparent and imminent. Danger to our flora

and fauna are at stake, the marine protected area, marine sanctuaries, coastal

resources and marine ecosystems; even the natural forces of the earth that life

and safety of human beings are in paramount consideration. This is due to the

ballooning of human population that demands food for subsistence that leads to

urbanization and settlements.

The study of physical science is imperative. This will enhance on how we

manage our environment especially for the protection of the life and the health

condition of the people based on the water that we intake and the food that we

eat. Constitutionally, the right of the people to abode in a community is highly

respected. However, this right is always entwined with sense of responsibility in

all aspects in life particularly in terms of health and sanitation.

Rationale:

As managers or persons who are responsible to take care of the

environment we should necessarily be exposed to different avenue that can

increase our knowledge and experience. Inputs of this learning will basically give

us an idea of what are some of the projects that we may articulate and possibly

put up through a project to the community, locality where we share our expertise

and knowledge. This exposure would possibly replicate, if not, educate the

members of the community regarding the proper and correct establishment of

septage tank, the standard septage so to speak, in every household. This is

particularly, on how to implement and manage a septage facility in a community

as a means to secure the health of the general public in terms of sanitation. This

learning exposure is taken in a Septage Treatment Facility (STF) that is located

in Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bagacay, Alabel, Sarangani Province. This was

held on September 4, 2015.

SEPTAGE CONDITION IN THE PHILIPPINES

It is important to understand the word septage. Septage refers to sludge

which is a term used in some countries to describe the partially treated sludge

stored in a septic tank. It is one type of fecal sludge. Septage is a by-product

from the pretreatment of household wastewater in a septic tank where it

accumulates over time.

Septage is highly variable and organic, with significant levels of grease,

grit, hair, and debris. The liquids and solids pumped from a septic tank or

cesspool have an offensive odor and appearance, a tendency to foam upon

agitation, and a resistance to settling and dewatering. Septage is also a host for

many disease-causing viruses, bacteria, and parasites. As a result, septage

requires special handling and treatment. However, the polymers and chemical

conditioners available today have considerably reduced these requirements.

Before proceeding to the STF in Alabel, it is better to take a look into the

brief condition of septage in our country.

According to the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) million people lack

access to improved sanitation, with more than 100 million practicing open

defecation all around the world.

The Philippines has invested very little in proper sewage collection and

treatment. More than 20 million Filipinos do not have access to proper sanitation,

and about 7 million practice open defecation. The WSP Sustainable Sanitation

for East Asia study (SuSEA 2008) reported that the design of most septic tanks

does not conform to the standards prescribed by the Department of Health

(DoH). Many who have toilets do not have septic tanks; many septic tanks have

open bottoms; most septic tanks are not regularly desludged; and the septage

removed is not treated and disposed of properly. Less than 10% of the

population has access to piped sewerage systems. Septic tank management,

especially desludging, also requires improvement.

That there is economic losses due to poor sanitation exceed P78 billion

per year (World Bank and USAID, 2007). Accordingly, Septage management

(emptying septic tanks) is only in Metro Manila, Dumaguete and Alabel

(Sarangani).

The sewerage coverage in Metro Manila is 15%, in national less than 4%

in Dhaka 30%, Phnom Penh 50% and some other developing countries.

Sad to note that there are more than 11,338 Filipinos who die yearly from

diarrhea, and about 55 daily from all water-borne diseases due to poor septage

and proper sanitation. Furthermore, up to 58% of groundwater contaminated,

64% of rivers fail test for Class A waters (swimming).

The Philippine government through the NSSMP finds the need for action in

order to improve sanitation as a key to achieve successful management in local

governance through its direct beneficiaries who mostly belong to the lower class

Filipino people.

There are constraints that need to be overcome. Probably, some strategies

that have to be applied in order to meet the target as duly desired by the

Philippine government. Some of these constraints are the following:

Low level of awareness and demand from public

Low capacity to develop projects

Weak enforcement of existing regulations

Limited resources of LGUs and water districts

No national program or budget.

Nonetheless, these are the challenges that our government particularly local

government through our local officials to address weakness stated in the above.

Perhaps, there is a need for a leader from the LGU level who will sponsor or

push through with the program. Indeed, it is of necessity to have one in a big

community. The fact that there is a threat on environmental degradation that

comes from the increase human settlements. The unwelcome effects of

domestic and human waste on water quality and inevitably on marine and human

lives have become apparent and alarming.

Furthermore, as per record, the Municipality of Alabel is able to reach the

successful implementation and management of Septage Treatment Facility in the

country. Let us take a look the brief profile of Municipality of Alabel.

ALABEL AS MUNICIPALITY

Alabel is a first class

municipality and also the capital

of the province of Sarangani,

Philippines. According to the

2010 census, it has a population

of 75,477 people. As of 2010, it

has a total voting population of

41,279 voters.

In Region XII SOCCSKSARGEN which belongs to the Mindanao group of

islands. The municipality Alabel is seated about 1,056 km south-south-east of

Philippine main capital Manila.

Alabel is a 1st class Municipality. Regarding urbanization Alabel is

classified as partly urban. Alabel occupies an area of 510.98 km². By the end of

2007 Alabel was the home of 71,872 residents. Thus by average 140.66 people

are living on one km².

Administratively the Municipality of Alabel is subdivided into 12 barangays.

One forms the center of the city whereas the other 11 are in the outlying areas.

Some of them are even several kilometers away from the center of the

Municipality. The most populous are Paraiso, Bagacay, Tokawal, Spring,

Baluntay, Domolok, Maribulan, Kawas, Datal Anggas, Alegria, Pag-Asa,

Poblacion (Alabel).

Among the bigger cities and municipalities in the neighborhood of Alabel

there are General Santos City (Dadiangas) (South Cotabato) 12 km west-north-

west, Malita (Davao Del Sur) 40 km north-east, Polomolok (South Cotabato) 28

km west-north-west, Sultan Kudarat (Nuling) (Maguindanao) 88 km west-north-

west, City Of Digos (Davao Del Sur) 75 km north, City Of Koronadal (South

Cotabato) 66 km north-west, Isulan (Sultan Kudarat) 96 km north-west, City Of

Tacurong (Sultan Kudarat) 95 km north-west, Glan 31 km south-south-west as

well as 28 km north of Alabel the municipality Malungon.

To travel from Davao City to the Municipality of Alabel using private

vehicle takes less than three (3) hours. The distance is 159 kilometers. During

the said travel guide questions were given by our Professor for our intellectual

consumption and for our academic assignment.

Guide Question:

Below are the given guide questions:

1. Discuss how the waste water and septage treatment operates; and

2. Discuss how it is being managed.

The whole class of GM 206 Intro to Physical Science arrived in the Municipal

Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). The MENRO Engr. Allan

V. Rivera is the brains behind the successful implementation and management of

Alabel STF, of course, not to discount the wisdom and noble effort, work and

support of the Executive and Legislative branches of the local government of the

Municipality of Alabel. Engr. Rivera threw his kindness to the group by giving

lecture on how the STF was born and the tedious process they went through in

order to secure the approval of the local executives including its legislators and

significant endorsement of Hon. Manuel Pacquiao as Representative of

Congress that has territorial jurisdiction over the Municipality of Alabel.

Picture 1. Taken during planning for STF

The nitty-gritty of the project has been thoroughly and intensively discussed

with the heads of local offices and national government agencies in Alabel.

Accordingly, the caucus or initial discussion has been emboldened after the

declaration of financial support through a loan or funding that came from Japan

Bank for International Cooperation (JICA). Thus, Alabel is a Recipient of Php

63.7-Million STF grant Project from DENR under Southern Mindanao Integrated

Coastal Zone Management Project (SMICZMP).

As per original plan, the project was intended to be established in General

Santos City. However, due to some circumstances, the STF project was

transferred and/or distributed among five (5) other coastal towns of Sarangani

province as a GRANT from the DENR.

Maasim

Kiamba

Maitum

Alabel

Glan

Brgy Bagacay-STF site

Brgy Patag-STF site

Brgy Mudan-STF site

Brgy Kamanga-STF site

Brgy Kapate-STF site

Brgy Kalaneg-STF site

Malapatan

Picture 2. Different STF Sites

Description of the Project

Based on the power point presentation of Engr. Allan Rivera, the STF

project provides specific benefit to the environment based on the natural

resources found in Alabel, the legal framework that governs the project, as well

as it describes the capacity of the project on the following:

1. The Alabel Septage Treatment Facility, with Design Capacity of 60-cu.m per

day (optimal capacity is 84-cu.m/day), is the LARGEST of the six (6) that were

constructed along Sarangani Bay, including one in Malalag Bay, by the Southern

Mindanao Integrated Coastal Management Project (SMICZMP) of the DENR;

2. Alabel STF adopts a Pond Stabilization and a Natural system – “a type of

wastewater treatment system in which the process of biological degradation of

organic compounds is not aided by the input of significant amounts of energy or

chemicals”. STF is designed to ONLY to accept and treat wastewater which are

domestic in nature;

3. Stabilization pond system – “a man-made pond system in which wastewater

is allowed to stand for a time, under the influence of microorganisms and the

forces of nature, so that it is converted to effluent that meets the quality

standards established for final disposal and reuse”;

4. The noble objectives of the project are the following:

a. Reduction of water pollution in Sarangani Bay;

b. Protection and conservation of coastal and marine habitats and resources

such as mangrove, coral reefs, seagrass, reef fishes, crustaceans,

dugongs, etc.

c. Improvement of health and sanitation condition (reduce health risks-

contact with sewage);

d. Compliance with National Standards and Regulation such as the following:

• Republic Act 7586 (National Integrated Protected Area System Act of

1992)

• Presidential Decree No. 856 (Code on Sanitation of the Philippines)

• Presidential Decree No. 1152 (The Philippine Environment Code)

• DENR Administrative Order 35, Series of 1990 (Effluent Standards)

• Republic Act 9275 (Clean Water Act of 2004)-mandates LGUs to share

responsibility to ensure water quality management (safe water supply)

within territorial jurisdiction.

As we learned from the power point presentation of Engr Rivera, below is

the standard septic tank (Illustration 1) that we could possibly recommend for a

sanitation project to the community where we managed. This proposed project

that we will adapt is considered as the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of

the company where we worked. Believing that in our area of responsibility, there

are many households that do not have adequate/proper septic tank. Our

exposure will help to educate the Indigenous Peoples where our mining

tenement is situated.

Illustration 1.

After a very informative lecture of Engr. Rivera, the students of GM 206

proceeded to Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bagacay, Alabel where the STF is

located. As observed, it is a vast track of land that is needed in order to

implement the project perfectly. The size of the area matters for the said project.

Approaching and getting nearer to the STF area, I was expecting foul order upon

arrival in the area, we did not smell anything. Prior to our arrival, my thoughts

were playing as I might see human waste floating in a big swimming pool and as

a wind dances, the smell of human waste will also move where the wind blows.

I. ALABEL SEPTAGE AND TREATMENT FACILITY

Gladly, such imagination is very far from its reality and as what I have

seen in the STF of Alabel. It indeed impressed me and these are what I have

seen.

In the Alabel Septage Treatment Facility, the waste are then poured into

the sedimentation pond. The picture below (Table 1.3), shows the different

treatment ponds of the Alabel Septage Treatment Facility. There are 3

sedimentation ponds, 2 anaerobic ponds, 2 facultative ponds, 1 maturation pond

and 1 constructed wetland pond.

Picture 3.

The first pond is a 3.5-m deep sedimentation pond where solids will be

allowed to settle. The supernatant or the liquid fraction will flow to the anaerobic

pond. After some time, no flow will be made to the sedimentation pond, and the

solids will thicken to a dry state, or a so-called “cake”, which can be removed

manually by shovel and cart or by small loaders or “bobcats”, if available.

The second pond, the anaerobic pond, has a depth of 5.0 meters. Here,

organic matter is anaerobically degraded. In this pond, BOD removal from 50%

to 70% can be expected.

From the anaerobic pond, septage will flow to the facultative pond,

(Picture 4. Zoom

view) which is

relatively shallow at

2.5 meters. At this

pond, algae, in the

presence of sunlight,

and surface wind will

provide the oxygen

necessary for

microorganisms to

degrade the

septage. At the bottom of the facultative pond, anaerobic conditions will prevail

and the remaining settled solids will undergo further anaerobic digestion.

The final pond, the maturation pond , is a shallow pond where most of the

pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed by sunlight.

At the end of this series of ponds, water shall pass through a constructed wetland , further improving effluent quality to levels exceeding the DENR Class A

effluent standards. In a constructed wetland, septage will move slowly through a

shallow bed of sandy/gravelly material, which is planted with water tolerant plants

such as cattails and reeds. The constructed wetland is a very efficient system for

“polishing” treated septage.

This is one of the anaerobic

pond and there are human wastes

floating on it. What was also surprising

is that I was expecting a lot of flies to be swarming around the area, but there are

none. MENRO Rivera explained that human waste after it is exposed to the

elements actually do not emit any foul smell. The human waste freshly defecated

is the one that smells.

Alabel Septage Treatment Facility was created. The Table 1. shows Biochemical

Oxygen Demand (BOD), or the amount of oxygen microorganisms must

consume in order to oxidize all the organic compounds in a liter of wastewater.

The study likewise revealed that the BOD Load Distribution is 3.4 million

tons/year.

As shown in the table, the biggest per centage of BOD load distribution

comes from the domestic or the households with 67% followed by the Agricultural

at 31%, Table 1.

Hence, by addressing the septage waterwaste of the household, it would

solve more than half of the BOD Load Distribution.

Illustration 2. Boad Load Distribution

The Alabel Septage Treatment Facility was basically created as an

answer to the huge BOD Load distribution. However, the Alabel STF is so large

that it has the Design Capacity of 60-cu.m per day (optimal capacity is

84-cu.m/day), As per inventory made by the Municipal Environment and Natural

Resources Officer (MENRO) in November 2007 there are only 2,252 DST in

Alabel as reflected in Table 2. The estimate is that the STF can service the

existing 2,252 DST in three months or less. Even at a more conservative

assumption of 6 septic tanks being desludged daily, using only one truck will

require 375 days to service all DST in Alabel (2250/6).

2007Barangay HHs Correct

DesignNeeding Imprv't

% Distrib'n

1. ALEGRIA 1,517 8 691 699 6.38%2. BAGACAY 570 0 51 51 0.47%3. BALUNTAY 726 19 45 64 0.58%4. DOMOLOK 740 0 59 59 0.54%5. KAWAS 1,033 45 17 62 0.57%6. MARIBULAN 1,010 19 161 180 1.64%7. POBLACION 4,025 462 463 925 8.44%8. SPRING 703 0 98 98 0.89%9. TOKAWAL 632 5 109 114 1.04%

TOTAL 10,957 558 1,694 2,252 20.55%► DESLUDGEABLE ST -with conc. Top floring, walls, or at least one concrete chamber but needing improvement)

# TOTAL STs

DESLUDGEABLE STs

Table 2.

II. MANAGEMENT OF ALABEL SEPTAGE AND TREATMENT FACILITY

It is known that Alabel is rich in tourist attractions. The serene beaches

there are described as paradise. The calm and blue pristine waters that gently

touches its shores is one of the main attractions in the place. Foreigners and

locale alike considered Alabel a place of recreation and relaxation. Family

bonding and fellowship is made perfect by the place.

Picture 6.

Indeed, tourism is one of the bigger source of revenue in the locality. The

marine resources are the basic livelihood in Alabel. Fisher folks are dependent

upon the water resource provided by God to people in Sarangani. There is a high

call to stewardship. Therefore, there is a need to protect and preserve the area

It is the sanctuary of the marine resources. Thus, the Alabel local government

crafted a “Coastal Zone Ordinance”. This ordinance allows only traditional fishing

and bangus fry gathering. It does not allow commercial fishing vessels to anchor

on the cost. The ordinance also regulates floating beach, fish cage, seaweed

culture, fish pens and use of nets.Pictures 7 & 8

According to Engr. Rivera, noble intention for the construction of STF’s is to

protect the coastal waters of Sarangani from pollution, particularly from domestic

sewage by processing septic tank contents before wastewater drains to the bay.

Specially, that Sarangani Bay is declared Protected Seascape Thru PP #756

during the time of former Pres. Fidel Ramos due to its economic and ecological

significance not just in the Province but in the entire SOCSKSARGEN area:

Plays an important role in the economic growth of the SOCSKSARGEN

Area where most industries are located along Sarangani Bay.

Major fishing ground of about 50,000 fishers in the area.

Ecologically important as breeding, spawning and feeding grounds of

many commercially important fish species in the area.

Tourism (recreation & diving sites).

This processing of wastes at the STF REDUCES the public risk from

pathogens and nutrient contamination of ground and water resources. Thus, it

will gear up to the protection of the fish as number one source of food of the

people and the natural water resources as attractive tourism in Alabel.

Accordingly, attaining its objectives will not only facilitate compliance with

various environmental laws (Clean Water Act of 2004) but will also exemplify

GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE as per MENRO Rivera.

However, as admitted by the MENRO, Alabel’s STF is a large facility with

a big responsibility. If it would only be limited to servicing the deludgeable septic

tanks within Alabel, then it would result to the facility being idle for most of the

time and its continued existence will be a financial liability for the LGU unless. In

fact the Alabel STF has 2-units Vacuum Trucks with a capacity of 5-cu.m and

can take a maximum of 5 to 6-trips per day. It also has 1 unit Bobcat Truck

Loader. These trucks are responsible for desludging household septic tanks and

bringing them to the STF. The MENROffice hired drivers for the trucks and these

truck drivers are also designated to disludge the septic tanks within Alabel. They

also have two (2) security guards assigned in the STF in Sitio Mahayahay with

two (2) other assistants. They are six (6) in all performing the activity with such

huge or large capacity of STF. These workingmen were equipped to faithfully

performing their daily operational duties and responsibilities definitely because

their leader as head of the team (Engr. Rivera) is ordained by God to share his

talent of good leadership brains, courage and strength to perform his job and to

take the challenge as Manager.

Fact that the Alabel STF has big capacity to disludge human waste, since

its creation and the facility being idle for most of the time and its continued

existence will be a financial liability for the LGU unless the following shall be

seriously taken into consideration not only the local government leaders of Alabel

but most importantly its constituents. Thus:

a) More of the other Alabel households (about 10,000) construct properly designed/built toilets and septic tanks and have them desludged every three years;

The STF does not have sufficient source of household waste to fully make

it operational. Maybe, because some of the households lack of awareness or

perhaps because of the culture of the Filipinos that they will be cautious and

aware of it IF there is an imminent and foreseen immediate danger as to health

and safety of their loved ones or themselves.

Nonetheless, the huge capacity of the facility at 60-cu.m per day (optimal

capacity is 84-cu.m/day) has never been reached. According to MENRO Rivera,

even if it rained the whole night and even during the incidences of tropical

depression that brings huge amount of rain, the same has not even filled up half

of the pond, hence the flow of the septage has not even reached the third pond

(the facultative ponds).

The government of Alabel through the MENRO will not be discouraged

and I commend their continuous conduct of Information Education Campaign

(IEC) to the 10,000 households of Alabel, to the business establishments, to the

migrants with intention to establish permanent settlement in the area, etc relative

to the importance of health sanitation vis-a vis protection to the environment.

The Alabel Septage Management Ordinance 2008-048 has made

mandatory the establishment of correctly-built septic tanks, the mandatory septic

tank desludging every 3 years, and the incorporation of the said provisions during

renewal and application of business permits. All Alabel households regularly pay

the desludging fee prescribed by the town’s STF ordinance. At the same time,

this can help to augrment the income of the municipality.

b. Alabel extends the STF service to its big neighbor, the city of General Santos and possibly, even Polomolok, north of General Santos City.

As discussed earlier, this project was originally intended for General

Santos City, but the STF projects were transferred/distributed among six (6)

other coastal towns of Sarangani province as a GRANT from the DENR. General

Santos City definitely hosts a bigger population in terms of household as well as

industrial and commercial establishments, plus the government offices including

NGAs and GSC-based desludgers.

ALABEL (9-Bgys) Gensan-City (14-Bgys)

2,252 34,187

HH-DESLUDGEABLE STs

15 X LARGER

The table above shows General Santos City is 15x larger than Alabel with

household deslugeable septic tanks estimated at 34,187 compared to the 2,252

of Alabel. A larger market exists in neighbor General Santos City. The latter is

almost 10 times larger than Alabel’s in terms of number of households (2009-

Alabel: 11,625; General Santos: approximately 94,950.

The MENRO and staff had a discussion with General Santos City and

talked about the desludging GSC-owned DSTs at a mutually

acceptable/attractive price which eventually graduated into a MOA signing.

Furthermore, the GSC coordinated with other government agencies and ST-

builders to enlarge the supply base.

c. Encouraging private desludgers

Another way of ensuring that there would be sufficient household wastes

collected, the Alabel STF also allows and even encourages private desludgers

from undertaking the desluding activities. This would allow those with sufficient

capital to purchase vacuum trucks to engage in desludging business. This is also

one way of creating job opportunities for others. A tipping fee (treatment cost) of

P 250.00/m3 shall be imposed on private desludgers/septage haulers who will

use the STF.

d. Develop a marketing plan to make the facility financially viable and self-sustaining

The team of Alabel STF have exerted efforts to market their “product”.

However, septage management, there is no tangible products that can be easily

seen or noticed by the people. Alabel STF have intangible products to market

and this makes it doubly hard to influence the people unless there is a change in

social behavior/attitudes, unless the people can imbibed and advocate that the

long term result of the STF is the protection of the Sarangani Bay Protected

Seascape, the environmental protection and improved sanitary practices of the

people. The people have to fully realize that protecting the Sarangani Bay which

is one source of livelihood and income for the vast majority of people cannot

happen without sustaining the STFs operation and steady revenue.

The Alabel IEC-Team developed a communication and marketing plan.

The marketing plan spelled out possible approaches and strategies to make

Alabel’s STF a fully operational and VIABLE INVESTMENT for the benefit of the

environment and the people. Included in the plan are the BEHAVIORAL

OBJECTIVES and CORE MESSAGES for each type of intended “Publics” and

the recommended media processes (Radio Messages, TV advertisements,

Billboards, Tarpaulins, Leaflets and Flyers/Brochures, Roadshows, recoridas,and

other related promotional activities)

CONLUSION: Bain work: Discourse

In view of the above foregoing, the size of the Alabel STF will fit to the size

and population of Davao City. It is sad to note and I even got envy during the

exposure and I even asked why is it that Davao City has no septage facility like in

Alabel. Considering the population of Davao City at present with high end

subdivisions for the elite, numbered middle class subdivisions and various low

cost housing that sets in the City. The unstoppable booming of the City by the

construction of different buildings, malls and offices is a must call to put up a

septage facility like in Alabel.

To figure out statistically, based on the 2010 Census of Population and

Housing (CPH), Davao City, a highly urbanized city in the province of Davao del

Sur, posted a total population of 1,449,296 persons as of May 1, 2010.  This is

larger by 302,180 persons compared to its total population of 1,147,116 persons

counted in the 2000 CPH.  The increase in the population count from 2000 to

2010 translated to an average annual population growth rate (PGR) of 2.36

percent.  This is lower than the 3.04 percent annual PGR of the city between the

census years 1990 and 2000.

 If the average annual PGR recorded at 2.36 percent during the period

2000 to 2010 continues, the population of Davao City would double in 30 years.

The Population of Davao City most likely will increase at the rate of 2.36 percent

annually. Davao City has vast rack of land where it can cater the demand of such

kind of facility.

The political leaders and local legislators in Dava City should consider this

project seriously. In fact, according to the Philippine Water Act (CWA) of 2004 is

a landmark piece of legislation that mandate the preparation of National

Sewerage and Septage Management Program (NSSMP) and requires highly

urbanized cities (HUCs) to provide sewerage and septage services to minimize

the adverse impacts of domestic wastewater discharges on water quality and

water resources in general. At the same time, responsible to address various

issues on sanitation and treatment and disposal of wastewater in the country. Its

goal is to improve water quality and protect public health in urban areas of the

Philippines by 2020.

In this mandate, it is a challenge to our political leaders to set their agenda

this coming 2016 elections and this agenda will not limit only to secure peace

and order situation of the Davao City but also they will include the establishment

of septage facility for the health protection, safety, of Davaoeños as well as to

ensure the protection marine-life sanctuaries in nearby sea, to maintain the

balance of marine ecology, all other important marine resources as a means of

livelihood and food for the people and the water resources in general.