The ancient technology of Philippine service providers in waste water management does leave so much to be desired. The environment is laid to waste due to the inadequacy of contractors in septage management. The big companies with the facilities and hire themselves off to the large corporations, multinational businesses, are able to build waste water treatment facilities for clients. On pro bono basis, they are able to provide token water treatment systems for our poorer brethren. But that is a microcosm of the huge population now inhabiting Metro Manila or many other urban and rural communities in the other regions.
Today is the best time to undertake proper waste water management. In Singapore, as well as in London, among many other countries, people drink water recycled from the sewers. Class A water, as Mr. Julian Payne of former Asian Development Bank fame and now leading star of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, can be potable enough to drink.
That is something the country should aspire to. At the rate we are going, if we don’t mind the problem about how our waste water is being handled, we will be the same ones to suffer from our own stupidity.
From e coli bacteria that brings innumerable diseases, even death, to toxic wastes and other hazardous materials in the ecology: all these are not part of the template for sustainable development. The dumping by the population and by factories, other businesses of refuse in Pasig River, the use of antiquated technologies like septic tanks and neglecting them for years and years after installation, the slow response of concerned authorities to the threat of leakage of septic tanks into water mains and pipes as well as our very own acquifers — water basins underneath the surface.
The government may want to lead in the bandwagon and certainly, everyone is bound to follow suit. Crazenz’ piece on Baler, Aurora Province is very moving.
The Rescue Olympic Games 