A senior delegation from the local Government Division, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Developments and Co-operatives of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh visited MWSS-RO last 25 January 2018. According to Sharif Mohammad Zamal Uddin, Deputy Director of the Ministry and head of the delegation, the purpose of the visit to the Philippines was to benchmark urban sanitation management and maintenance as against their country’s and learn from the experience of MWSS-RO.
The delegates were visibly impressed by the program organized by Atty. Claudine Orocio-Isorena, OIC of MWSS-RO with the Public Information Department.
The program started with Atty. Orocio-Isorena, Deputy Administrator Evelyn B. Agustin and Acting Deputy Administrator Chris Chuegan welcoming the nine delegation composed of the following:
Sharif Mohammad Zamal Uddin – Deputy Director, RMSU, LGED
Mohammed Abdul Awal – Executive Engineer, Ishwardi, Pourashava
Mohammad Nazmul Hasan Chowdhury – Project Manager, UGIIP, LGED HQ
Mohammed Fozlur Rahman – Mayor, Moulvibazar
Md. Aminul Islam – Deputy Director, RMSU, LGED, Barisal
Md. Rezaul Karim – Assistant Engineer Chargat Pourashava
Md. Zahurul Islam – Secretary, Ishwardi, Pourashava
Md. Rabiul Haque – Secretary, Chargat, Pourashava
Mohammad Pervez Mia – Mayor, Kishoreganj, Pourashava
This was followed by and Audio Visual presentation on the MWSS-RO’s organizational structure, mandates and the MWSS water system. A briefing on the urban sanitation program was presented by Engr. Rosendo O. Alegre, Department Manager for Complaints Service Monitoring. The acting Department Manager for Public Information Department, Mr. Charlie Espallardo acted as emcee and moderator.
During the Question and Answer portion that followed the presentations, the Bangladeshis inquired on the parameters of the urban sanitation program, such as population served, handling of Solid waste as against wastewater and other technical aspects of the program.
Mr. Uddin spoke for the group in his closing thank you remarks and gratefully acknowledged the MWSS-RO when he said that the visit was outstanding and the preparations meticulous. He thought that they would surely get in touch with MWSS-RO for any collaboration or other assistance.
On the following day, Atty. Orocio-Isorena and officers and staff of the Customer Service Regulation Area brought the delegation to the Veterans Village Water Reclamation Facility of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. , located in Quezon City, for a look at the operations of the treatment facility. Engr. John Pangan conducted a technical briefing of the facility to the satisfaction of the delegates.