The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) organized the Stakeholder’s Meeting on Wastewater Management last May 20, 2019 held at the PEZA Social Hall, DOE-PNOC Compound. The meeting aims to gather the concerns of different stakeholders and inputs to the proposed consolidated position paper in relation to the DAO 2016-08 or the Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards of 2016.

Ms. Nonette Magsino, General Manager of PEZA, welcomed the participants of the meeting. She also provided information on the ongoing “RESPONSE PROJECT”, a collaboration between PEZA and USAID to study the regulatory environment in the country and to propose solutions.

The meeting also included breakout sessions whereby participants were divided into 4 smaller groups. Each group was given the opportunity in providing inputs to 4 significant issues relating to DAO 2016-08, namely;  steps taken to study the issued revised GES, actions taken by DENR / LLDA on GES or DP, Compliance Action Plan status and wastewater treatment plant retrofitting.  Issues on the cost of retrofitting existing WTPs , increase in operational expense and the availability of technologies to treat the parameters were some of the issues raised.

The participants which includes private companies, non-governmental organizations, ecozones / industrial park operators, and foreign chamber of commerce, agreed that a consolidated position paper will be prepared to be spearheaded by PEZA and co-signed by the different stakeholders present. The Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAPI) National was represented by Engr. Gretchen Fontejon- Enarle, VP for External Affairs.