by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 4, 2018 | Advocacy
The PRRC, in collaboration with UP PLANADES, designed the Pasig River Integrated and Strategic Master Plan (PRISM) with a vision that by 2032, the Pasig River and its surrounding basins are resilient life-sustaining ecosystems that are able to support diverse human needs and biodiversity towards inclusive, harmonized, and balanced development co-managed by competent and adaptive institutions with responsible and empowered communities.
This new restoration strategy covers the following:
- water quality management,
- streamflow management,
- catchment management, and
- riparian management
In this manner, the Pasig River will once again enshrine socio-economic, aesthetic, environmental, recreational, and cultural values amidst changing risks and natural perturbations.
The illustrations below will provide a brief summary of the integrated wastewater treatment systems, one of the 19 priority projects proposed in the PRISM to help improve the water quality of the Pasig River, and for concerned agencies to comply with concession agreement, and other environmental laws.
North and south Pasig sewage treatment plan
The direct discharge of wastewater into the river system, like the Pasig River, causes serious impact on the quality of the environment and on the health of the people.
This project aims to:
- capture the domestic wastewater in the areas of Pasig and part of Quezon City, Cainta, and Mandaluyong City and to be treated by STP,
- help improve the water quality of the Pasig River
- comply with the concession agreement and other environmental fees.
Program Description
- Site location: Pinagbuhatan, Pasig
- Location of program benefits: Pasig River (treating 100 MLD used water)
- Components: 100 MLD STP 65km interceptor network
- Structural component:
- construction of STP
- laying of interceptor pipes
- Non-structural component
- Manila Water’s Toka-Toka (stake), garbage segregation, sewer connection, and dislodging every 5 years
- educational tours or “Lakbayan” to understand the water and wastewater processes
- public information like flyers, posters, magazines, brochures, etc.
- Beneficiaries:
- 2017: 300,000 population
- 2037: 658,392 population
- Area coverage: approx. 3,500 hectares
- Benefits:
- treatment of used water generated within the catchment
- compliance with regulatory and environmental standards
- Project completion:
- STP: EO 2018
- Sewer network: EO 2022
The filtration system for tributaries of the Pasig River
Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)
By 2037, the aim is to have a substantial reduction of sewerage and septage pollutants in the Pasig River System.
It is desired that the physico-chemical, biological, microbial, and heavy metal parameters measured at the Pasig River Unified Monitoring Systems (PRUMS) will not exceed the Philippine Standards for class C for freshwater category, especially for identified pollutants such as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Phosphorus (TF), and Fecal Coliform Bacteria, among others.
The Philippine standard for class C is hoped to be achieved with no exceedances or even better water quality such as class B.
Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) blueprint
- entrance
- secondary clarification
- biological treatment
- biosolids dewatering
- wind turbines
- green roofs
- material and storage center
- solar panels
- administrative center
- parking
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Sep 3, 2018 | Advocacy, Awards and Competitions
The Pasig River, the cradle of early Manila civilization, is a finalist in the first ever Asia Riverprize by the prestigious International River Foundation (IRF) which recognizes and rewards organizations that make a difference through effective river basin restoration and management programs.
The Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) just came from a successful campaign in the 2017 Thiess International Riverprize competition where they placed second to the San Antonio River of Texas, USA.
PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio E. Goitia
PRRC Executive Director Jose Antonio E. Goitia says that “the consecutive entries of the Pasig River as a finalist in the 2017 and 2018 Thiess International and Asia Riverprize, respectively, is a testament that the world recognizes the efforts of the Philippine government to restore the Pasig River and its environs since PRRC was established in 1999.”
In the beginning the competition was called the Asia-Pacific Riverprize Awards which allowed entrants from 45 countries, including New Zealand and Australia. With so many entries and because of the high quality of the said entries it as later decided to split the event into two: Asia Riverprize and Australasia Riverprize.
After much deliberation the committee decided on its finalists for Asia Riverprize, namely the Pasig River (Philippines) and the Yangtze River (China).
Asia Riverprize 2018 finalist
Goitia adds “last year, the Philippines is the only third world and developing country that made it into the international finals and bravely competed with the US and the United Kingdom. In this year’s Asia Riverprize, we will be facing another super power – the red dragon, China. However, with an indomitable spirit, we remain steadfast and optimistic that we will stand triumphant in the end.”
Criteria for judging
IRF Director Professor Bill Dennison
In behalf of the IRF’s board of river basin experts, IRF Director Professor Bill Dennison says that “these different river stories are united by a common theme: excellence in river management.”
The Riverprize is not a competition of which river is more beautiful or cleaner. This is the reason why the IRF, comprised of river management experts and professionals from around the world, has given importance and consideration to the rehabilitation efforts of the PRRC to bring back the Pasig River system to life.
It has acknowledged PRRC’s commitment in delivering quality projects, programs, and activities in easement recovery, housing and resettlement, riverbanks development, waste and water quality management, and public awareness.
The Pasig River – past, present, and future
There has been significant improvement to the condition of the Parig River where it was once declared in the 90’s as “biologically dead”. While still a work in progress many areas along the historic river have already shown signs of acquatic life. In addition, it has now become conducive to transport, recreation, and tourism.
The Pasig River prepares to win the coveted award
Mr. Jose Antonio E. Goitia, PRRC’s Executive Director, together with Mr. George Oliver G. dela Rama, Division Head of the Public Information Advocay and Tourism join forces to present and defend the Philippines’ Pasig River entry an esteemed panel of judges in the upcoming 21st International Riversymposium on October 14 to 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Other PRRC Management Committee members are also part of the Philippine delegation.
The winner of this prestigious event will receive widespread global recognition, which will, additionally:
- build new partnerships
- provide opportunities for exchange of knowledge and best practices
- open doors for international support
Also, the winner will automatically qualify for Stage Two of the Thiess International Riverprize in 2019.
As one nation, the PRRC seeks everyone’s support to its Pasig River entry in the 2018 Asia Riverprize. The Pasig River’s victory is the victory of the Philippines and every Filipino who works hard and shares the same vision of saving our waterways and the environment. It will be the triumph of all who believe that the dream of a clean and alive Pasig River is within reach!
By 2037, the aim is to have a substantial reduction of sewerage and septage pollutants in the Pasig River System.
entrance
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