With a rapidly increasing population, Iloilo City, a highly urbanized city in western Philippines has grown to just under 1 million residents. In recent years, the city experienced an economic growth spurt. Commercial and residential buildings are springing up around the city, services and retail businesses are thriving, and tourists are flocking to the city’s landmarks.
Tagbilaran, a city in central Philippines, is considered a tourist gateway to popular destinations, with great economic potential. The city, however, has struggled to develop an effective water and septage treatment infrastructure. USAID, through its Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) project, partnered with the Tagbilaran City government to plan for a new septage management system.
The USAID Philippine Sanitation Alliance (PSA) was a four-year program (October 1, 2007–September 30 2011) that worked with public and private sector partners to reduce public health risks, protect biodiversity and other natural resources by developing and implementing stakeholder-driven sanitation initiatives.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and USAID partnered in 2012 and implemented the Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystems Resilience (B+WISER) program to support the Government of the Philippines in implementing environmental policies and conducting programs to prevent forest and watershed disturbances and biodiversity loss. Over a six-year implementation period (2013-2018), B+WISER focused on managing the natural resources as well as reducing environmental disaster risks in the country.
This publication is a guide for government and city planners to identify financing mechanisms as they develop their own wastewater and sanitation projects.
This manual is meant to be helpful for cities as it features a step-by-step procedure for establishing a septage management program using a combination of hydrated lime slurry and sand drying beds as the main treatment process. The manual captures the experience of Tacloban City, Philippines, which employed the system following Typhoon Yolanda to treat septage and sewage collected from evacuation centers and other temporary shelters.
USAID’s Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project in the Philippines, awarded in July 2013, was a four-year activity that worked to promote good governance and build capacity for long-term water security, improve access to water and wastewater treatment services, and build more resilient communities. Be Secure focused on achieving two intermediate results:
The USAID Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project prepared this report in collaboration with the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) in the Philippines.
AECOM International Development (AECOM) is implementing the Water Security for Resilient Economic Growth and Stability (Be Secure) Project.
The Cagayan de Oro City Water District (COWD) was formed on 1 August 1973 and is recognized as the first water district in the country. It is responsible for providing water supply to Cagayan De Oro City and the Municipality of Opol, and has about 85,000 customers. Like many water utilities in developing Asia, COWD is confronted by issues related to water losses and inadequate supply largely due to system inefficiencies and an ever increasing population. Staff capacity is also limited further adding to the challenge of operating a complex water network.
