West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), and the City Government of Imus recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the “Bigkis-Tubig Program.” This aims to intensify and harmonize projects and activities related to the protection, rehabilitation and management of rivers, particularly those that serve as water sources for drinking.
Signing the MOU were (seated, from left) Brgy. Bayan Luma IX Chairman Ruben Tined, Jr., DENR-EMB Calabarzon Officer-in-charge Girliesina Sebarillo, Imus City Mayor Alex Advincula, Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez, and Brgy. Anabu II-C Chairman Joey Sarte.
Under the MOU, Maynilad will work with DENR-EMB and the local government of Imus in pursuing various activities that will protect the Julian and Imus rivers. This includes the conduct of periodic community waterway clean-ups and mangrove planting, provision of cleaning materials for the river rangers, and implementation of community development projects, including desludging campaigns, dredging activities, community trainings, and information and education drives, among others.
During the MOU signing event, Maynilad donated two trash boats, eight life buoys and life vests, 10 packs of emergency kits for river rangers, and river clean-up materials to the Imus LGU.
Maynilad now taps the Julian and Imus Rivers as raw water source for its Modular Treatment Plants, which were built to produce potable water supply for residents of Imus. Once fully operational, both plants can serve the water requirements of around 132,000 customers in the area.