Cebu execs back JICA’s sewage master plan

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival have expressed their support for the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Master Plan Study for Comprehensive Sewerage System Development in Metro Cebu, a project that aims to modernize wastewater infrastructure across eight local government units.

The support came following separate meetings with JICA officials earlier this week, where the agency presented updates on the three-year study, which runs from October 2024 to September 2027.

Governor Baricuatro and Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) General Manager Edgar Donoso serve as co-chairs of the project’s steering committee.

According to the Capitol’s Public Information Office, Baricuatro affirmed her commitment to rallying provincial LGUs to fully support and participate in the program’s implementation.

The project seeks to address Metro Cebu’s longstanding sanitation challenges, protect coastal ecosystems, and lay the foundation for a centralized sewerage system serving more than three million residents.

“This is the first time the people of Cebu will have this kind of system—a proper water treatment facility,” said Donoso, who attended both meetings. “Our goal is to ensure that Cebu has a reliable and sustainable water supply, along with improved sanitation for our people.”

Mayor Archival, who hosted the JICA delegation at Cebu City Hall, stressed the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability and public health.

“Together, we are taking a big step toward protecting our environment and improving the quality of life for our people,” he said. “This is about readiness—readiness to serve our people better and build a future Cebu can be proud of.”

The JICA Expert Team was led by Yosuke Deguchi, Professional Engineer from Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., with Shiba Ayari, Project Formulation Advisor, and Juan Miguel Reboton, Program Officer from the JICA Philippines Office. They were joined by senior technical staff from MCWD, including Engr. Emmanuel Espina, Joseph Caballes, Jasher Engaño, and Ivanna Cristina Gonzalez. Representing the Cebu City Government was Arch. Ann Marie Y. Cuizon, head of the City Planning and Development Office.

The proposed sewerage system will cover four cities—Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu—and four municipalities: Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, and Compostela. Currently, 91 percent of Metro Cebu households rely on septic tanks, with no centralized sewerage infrastructure in place. Poorly managed septage has posed increasing risks to water quality, public health, and marine biodiversity.

The Master Plan Study, approved in 2019 with a budget of 315 million Japanese yen, includes a full feasibility assessment and institutional coordination framework.

MCWD is designated as the Execution Agency, while the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) serves as the Oversight Agency.

Donoso explained that the system will consist of a network of pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities designed to collect and process sewage and surface runoff.

“We’re not yet used to reusing water like Singapore does, but at the very least, we can return treated water cleanly to the water table,” he said.

As the study progresses, stakeholders are expected to conduct public consultations and technical workshops to ensure transparency and community alignment. The Capitol will also convene a meeting with the concerned LGUs in the coming weeks to discuss implementation strategies. FPL (CEBU NEWS)