MANILA, Philippines—Completion of a planned sewerage system for Metro Manila, which has one of the world’s most polluted waterways, is set to be delayed by over 20 years, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Friday.
Two private companies had been contracted to build sewerage and treatment plants for the 11-million-strong Metro Manila area, but a planned completion date of 2009 was set to be delayed until about 2031, said Jonas Leones, assistant director of the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau.
Only a small part of the city’s waste water is treated, while most of the rest runs into the Pasig River, described in a 2006 United Nations Development Programme report as one of the world’s most polluted waterways.
“The Pasig River is the septic tank of Metro Manila,” Environment Secretary Ramon Paje admitted before a Senate hearing earlier this week, according to Leones.
The government wants to fine the two water concessionaires — Manila Water and Maynilad — more than P100 million ($2.2 million) for their failure to complete the project on time but the issue has gone to court, Leones said.
Domestic waste accounts for some 70 percent of the pollution in the 25-kilometer (16-mile) river.
The government is trying several measures to clean up the Pasig but much of the problem is attributed to millions of squatters living in slums on its banks, said an aide to Paje, Anna Liza Te.
“This is an urban poor problem. It needs long term solutions like relocation,” she said. The World Bank estimates that up to half of Manila residents live in slums. –Agence France-Presse
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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