𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐒 ‘𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓’ 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐘
Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro assured last Tuesday, March 24, 2026, that the Provincial Government “fully supports” the “Master Plan Study on Comprehensive Sewerage System Development of Metro Cebu”, which is seen to once and for all address issues on septage and sewage of eight towns and cities of Cebu, in the coming years.
“We commit to working closely with JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and MCWD (Metro Cebu Water District) towards the realization of the proposed projects under this Master Plan,” she said.
She made the statement at the start of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting, which JICA and the City of Yokohama in Japan convened so they can present the study, with Mandaue city identified as site for the pre-feasibility study on a wastewater management system.
The project, which is being made with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), is meant for the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay; and the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, Compostela, and Cordova.
“Together, we will move forward with urgency, coordination, and a shared sense of responsibility for our people—kay Ato ang Sugbo,” the governor said during her opening speech.
She also expressed confidence that having JICA do the study is the right way, after visiting the country and becoming “truly impressed by their level of waste management and how basic infrastructure plays a key role in protecting lives and securing the future for the next generation.”
“It is something we can learn from and adapt here in Cebu,” she said.
Mr. Ueno Yudai, Japan’s Consul General to Cebu, on the other hand, said that with the Philippines and Japan celebrating 70 years of friendship, they “remain fully committed to work hand-in-hand with all of you here” towards creating a “greener, richer, healthier (Cebu) community”.
He said that the partnership would result to a “practical, forward-looking solution” for Cebu.
Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano of Mandaue City also said in a speech that the master plan is “both timely and necessary”.
“We also support the proposed interim solution, including septage treatment, as we work toward a long-term centralized sewerage system. We understand that this is a phased process, and we are fully committed to doing our part,” he said.
On behalf of MCWD, Board of Directors Chairperson Rene Almendras said “this project goes beyond our lifetime but we have to do it now”.
[In its study, JICA and the City of Yokohama projected that the “development of all sewerage service area is expected to be completed in 2130, with the first STP (septage treatment plant) scheduled to commence in 2038.”]
He, however, said all Cebu officials must act now, as it is incumbent upon all to provide a health community for the Cebuanos.
“This is a project that should be done fast, soon, and to be done well,” he said.
Engr. Paulo Dala of LWUA added that like all endeavors, the project would succeed if all are onboard.
“This is only going to be successful if everyone did their part,” he said.
In his presentation, Mr. Deguche Yosuke, team leader of the JICA Expert Team, mentioned that 91 percent of Metro has septage tanks, which are both lined (with barriers, often concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene) and unlined (porous and allows wastewater to seep into the surrounding soil).
He also said that of those with septage tanks, “over 50 percent do not have access to sludge removal”.
For his part, MCWD General Manager John DX Lapid said addressing the matter is an “inter-generational responsibility” and reminded that “we don’t own the earth, we borrowed it from our children”.
Among those present during the JCC meeting, which was the second since the project was started in 2024, were Aoki Nobuhiko, senior representative of JICA Philippines; Mr. Kozuka Ryoichi of Yokohama’s Sewerage and Rivers Bureau; Mr. Kajeura Takiki, deputy team leader of the JICA Expert Team; mayors of the Metro Cebu LGUs; and officials and representatives of stakeholder organizations and national government agencies. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶, 𝑷𝑷𝑫𝑶, 𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝑹𝑱
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