The Local Government Unit of Bayawan headed by Mayor German Sara in cooperation with GTZ (German Technical Cooperation) launched the groundbreaking for the first communal Wetland/Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Philippines, last June 14, 2005.

The project plans to clean the wastewater of the Fishermen’s Village, Barangay Villareal, Bayawan City, a housing project which is recently under construction. Once fully constructed and functioning - later this year -the wastewater of more than 3000 inhabitants will be treated, cleaned and reused.

GTZ will ensure the technical advisory and capacity development, together with the University of the Philippines, Manila (UP) and the German Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig, a research institute in the field of low cost sanitation. The construction of the plant will be entirely financed by a loan through the city itself.

In his opening speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, Mr. Andreas Kanzler, GTZ Water Program Director, said that: “….this is the first wetland treatment plant in the Philippines for communal sewage - so it is a real groundbreaking in the truest sense of the word. We are breaking ground for new technologies and solutions which have not been used in this country until now.”? Mr. Kanzler explained that the wetland treatment plant is an appropriate technology especially suitable in areas like Bayawan, since there is extremely low maintenance and running cost involved.

An artificial wetland is a close to the nature treatment method, conceptually designed for decentralized use, meaning no long and costly sewer network is imbedded. In the same light, Mayor Sara��span> expressed the City’s thanks to GTZ for bringing in new technologies which are very much useful in improving the sanitation situation of Bayawan. The Mayor stressed that under his leadership, sanitation is a priority and “nonnegotiable”.? He said that he is: “looking forward to launching with GTZ “not only the first water treatment facility in the Philippines but also the second, third and fourth facilities”.

According to Mr. Kanzler, “Wherever a wetland treatment plant seems to be the best solution, we will support it as in the construction of the fishermen’s village here in Bayawan. In more remote mountain areas, where water is scarce and supply is limited, the idea of separation toilet (ecosan) without using water might be a better idea.”