A memorandum of agreement was signed Thursday between the city government and the Dumaguete City Water District, for the joint construction and operation of the septage waste water treatment facility in Barangay Camanjac.

Under the agreement signed at the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the city and the water district will jointly undertake the construction, operation and maintenance of the system, which requires an initial estimated capital cost of P25,150,000.

P21 million will be used for the construction of septage facilities in accordance with the design provided by USAID consultants, P4 million for the acquisition of desludging trucks, and P150,000 for computerization.

The agreement also provides that all assets acquired either by purchase or construction of the system will be owned by the two parties. The city will manage the operation and maintenance of the septage plant, while the water district will be responsible for the collection of septage from houses, business establishments, and other sourcers, and will transport them to the septage treatment plant.

The water district is tasked to operate and maintain the septage trucks. The MOA further states that 80 percent of the net profit will be shared equally by both parties on a quarterly basis, the remaining 20 percent of which will be held in trust under a joint account in any acceptable government bank as contingency fund.

A septage fee of P2 per cubic meter will not be increased or decreased without the consent of the city council and or approval of both parties.

The MOA was signed by Mayor Agustin Perdices, water district general manager Esperatu Dicen, presiding officer Vice Mayor Woodrow Maquiling, and Councilor Frank Esmena, chairman, committee on environmental protection and conservation.*JG

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