The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) broke ground Friday on a new septage treatment plant aimed at improving sanitation and protecting the environment in Metro Cebu.

The facility, located at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City, is being built in cooperation with Toda Corporation and with support from the City of Yokohama and the Cebu City government.

Once completed, the new plant will be able to treat 270 cubic meters of sludge per day, a significant increase from the existing plant’s capacity of 120 cubic meters.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival joined MCWD chairman Ruben Almendras, general manager Jorge Gabriente, and board members Jodelyn May Seno and Mariefel Roble at the ceremony.

Japanese Consul-General Yudai Ueno, JICA chief representative Takeshi Baba, and Toda Corporation General Manager Hajime Oku were also in attendance.