IWK, ADB & CITY GOVERNMENT OF BAGUIO FORM TRIPARTITE COLLABORATION TO ENHANCE SEWERAGE MANAGEMENT IN BAGUIO CITY

Kuala Lumpur, November 9, 2023 -- Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the City Government of Baguio (CGB), has taken a significant step towards elevating the sewerage management in Baguio, a city in the Philippines, through ADB’s Water Organizations Partnership for Resilience Program (WOP4R).

Under ADB’s WOP4R, IWK has been selected as a mentor to CGB’s Baguio City Environment and Park Management Office (CEPMO) for a period of 12 months. This collaboration will facilitate the transfer of best practices, expertise, and technology through peer-to-peer exchanges, fostering innovation and resilience in sewerage systems.

WOP4R, funded by ADB’s Japan Special Fund, is supporting water entities in Asia and the Pacific to become more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. This approach ensures they are better prepared to address water security challenges, including increasing climate change and disaster risks.

Today, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was officially signed at the IWK Headquarters, graced by the presence of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, YBhg. Dr. Ching Thoo A/L Kim. This momentous document was sealed with the signatures of the: Chief Executive Officer, Narendran Maniam of IWK, Director, Strategy and Partnerships, Water & Urban Development Sector Office of Asian Development Bank, Satoshi Ishii, and City Government of Baguio’s Mayor, the Honorary Benjamin B. Magalong.

City of Baguio is a highly urbanised city located about 250km from Manila. It is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines", owing to its cool climate since the city is located approximately 4,810 feet (1,470 meters) above mean sea level. As a popular tourist destination, the city is deeply concerned about environmental integrity and sustainable development and recognises the pivotal role of water resources in various aspects of local governance.

“We extend our appreciation to ADB and CGB for their decision to partner with us. It reaffirms our shared commitment to enhancing sanitation and sewerage management standards, not just within our own borders, but to extend this knowledge throughout the broader region. For IWK, this represents a significant opportunity to share our expertise and further enrich our community,” said Narendran. 

Throughout this WOP4R program, ADB, IWK, and CGB have developed a joint work plan, outlining a series of activities that include remote consultations, in-person information exchange visits, knowledge transfer, training and development, as well as other related initiatives with CEPMO, effectively from the signing of the MOA.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments to promote social and economic development.

This tripartite collaboration embodies a commitment to the sustainable development and environmental well-being of the region. By merging resources, expertise, and dedication, IWK, ADB and CGB aim to transform the sewerage management landscape in Baguio and set a model for others to follow.

#ENDS#

Issued by:
Corporate Communications Department, Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd

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ABOUT US
Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK), is a sewerage services company owned by Minister of Finance Incorporated, Malaysia. IWK is responsible for providing sewerage services, operating and maintaining 8,874 existing sewage treatment plants and network pump stations, as well as more than 20,000 km networks of sewerage pipelines serving 30 million Connected Population Equivalent (PE). Our expertise include Operations and Maintenance, Refurbishment, Planning & Policy Strategy, Engineering & Process Review, Project Planning, Project Management, EIA and HAZOP Studies, Training Services & Module Development, Research & Development, Capacity Building and Community Awareness & Education Program. For more information, visit our website at www.iwk.com.my.

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