The collaboration among the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the City Government of Baguio, and Japanese company FujiClean Co. Ltd., strides forward with the signing of the collaboration agreement document for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Business Verification Survey with the Private Sector to improve the city’s wastewater treatment infrastructure and sanitary environment.
Currently with only 10% of the population covered by Baguio City’s Sewage Treatment Plant that was constructed with Japanese grant aid since the 1980s, coupled with the infrastructural challenges due to its topography, it is crucial for the local government to seek alternative solutions to increase wastewater treatment coverage and alleviate further water pollution in the city. The updated general effluent standards for selected parameters set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) necessitated a cooperation with entities with proven expertise in this field.
Recognizing the urgency of this matter, JICA, under its public-private partnership promotion program, brought in FujiClean, one of the leading Japanese companies that develops innovative wastewater treatment systems with its patented technology, to aid the City Government of Baguio in addressing the serious environmental concerns brought by rapid development.
This is one of JICA’s ways to support the Philippines not only at the national level, but also at the local level where many unique challenges are present.
FujiClean’s decentralized wastewater treatment system, also known as “Johkaso” system, when combined with Baguio City’s existing centralized sewerage network, will assist in creating an infrastructure adequate for the city’s wastewater requirements. Apart from being easy and cost-saving to install, operate, and maintain, FujiClean’s energy-efficient technology has also been certified in other countries like Japan, the United States, Australia, and Germany.
In 2023, JICA and FujiClean conducted a workshop for nearly 60 participants from the City Government of Baguio, DENR, the Department of Health (DOH) and others to discuss how the proposed decentralized treatment system can help solve the pressing wastewater problems. Given the success of said activity and with the positive response from local stakeholders, further cooperation pushed ahead.
At the recent signing event, JICA Philippines Chief Representative SAKAMOTO Takema reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to support Baguio City’s commendable efforts to come up with an economic and sustainable solution for its wastewater problems. “With Japan’s long history and extensive experiences in wastewater treatment, through the guidance of FujiClean experts, we would like to share the secrets of them and impart all of this knowledge to our friends in Baguio City.”
He added, “Our joint collaboration will lead further sustainable and clean environment, livable standards, tourism development, economic boost, job opportunities, and so on.”
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, meanwhile, expressed optimism that this project will result in a sustainable solution to the city’s wastewater woes, allowing Baguio City to further urbanize and cement itself as a top destination in the Philippines for both local and international tourists.