The sewage treatment plant (STP) project in El Nido that will remove municipal wastewater contaminants is expected to be operational by October 2020, Governor Jose Alvarez assured Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat during a recent visit.
Governor Alvarez presented the STP on November 13 to Puyat who was in El Nido to continue the government’s bid to implement sustainable tourism programs in Palawan by ensuring businesses in the area are compliant with environmental and tourism laws.
“Itong STP natin ay solusyon natin sa problema ng wastewater dito sa El Nido. Siyempre ito ay compliance din natin sa Clean Water Act. By October 2020, puwedeng fully operational na ito,” Alvarez said.
The STP is located at Sitio Batbat, Barangay Villa Libertad in El Nido.
Its P520.8 million cost is jointly shouldered by the provincial government and El Nido through loans. The project was started during the incumbency of former mayor Nieves Rosento and continued in the term of mayor Edna Lim.
Alvarez said what is good with the STP is it could also be a “destination” for individuals who wish to learn about sewage management.
“Puwede rin itong destination sa El Nido,” he said.
Alvarez said the initial phase of the project was implemented in August 2018, utilizing P264.6 million. Of the total amount, P191 million came from the El Nido municipal government through a loan availed from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).
The provincial government’s share is P64.74 million worth of free technical services and heavy equipment utilization, P8.87 million for land acquisition, and P256 million for Phase 1 and Phase 2, a total of P329.8 million.
It will be operated using alternative sources of energy such as biogas and solar.
