CEPMO team engages KL, Malaysia STP body in reciprocal visit to facilities and adjunct services, 3-way MOA of cooperation signed

A six-man team led by City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) head Atty. Rhenan Diwas conducted a reciprocal visit to Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; with the ceremonial signing of a three-way Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of cooperation, trainings and site visits to Sewage Treatment Plant facilities, Nov. 6 to 10. 

The three-way MOA collaboration between and among IWK, Royal Bandaraya Baguio (City Government of Baguio as represented by CEPMO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims to facilitate the best practices transfer of expertise and technology, peer-to-peer exchange and to spur innovation of water facilities. The MOA also stipulates an IWK 12-month mentoring of Baguio CEPMO through the Water Organization Partnership for Resilience Program (WOP4R) under ADB.

The MOA was signed by Chief Executive Officer of IWK Narendran Maniam and CEPMO head Atty. Diwas, as witnessed by Chief Secretary of Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Dr. Ching Thoo Ki, IWK Chair Ahmad Johnie Zawawi and Baguio CEPMO Wastewater and Hazardous Waste Management Division head Engr. Wilbur Suanding,  

Diwas and Suanding, together with Engrs. Paul Palangeo and Jhomer Samoranos, CEPMO Administrative Officer Sandra Almag, and Plumber Foreman Rodolfo Estepa actively participated in the sessions, with a presentation of the ADB Baguio Resilient City Tourism Project.

The training-workshop focused on stakeholders’ awareness and communication, tariff management, business continuity, desludging SOPs, monitoring of private operators, breakdown sessions and planning of online engagement; all in the light of replicating said practices.  

The Baguio group also visited sewerage/septage facilities in Putrajaya 2, Pantai 2 and Ecopark, Pantai 1 and Sewerage Gallery, Indah Water Gallery and Fertiliser production facility. 

According to Narendran, IWK shares expertise to further enrich the quality of life of surrounding communities; fully support water-related entities in Asia and the Pacific, for efficiency, inclusivity and resiliency. 

 IWK is also committed to ensure water operation and industry preparedness to address water safety, Narendran said.

IWK officials conducted a diagnostic visit to the city’s Sewage Treatment Plan last  Sept. 27 to 29.  – JGF, with reports from CEPMO-WHWMD