Barangay Baesa hosted the launching of the Baesa portion of the USAID-Rotary Pasig River System Improvement Project on January 8, 2010. The project will work to improve the state of the Pasig River by undertaking wastewater treatment, solid waste management, hygiene promotion and related activities in Paco and Santa Ana, Manila and in Baesa, Quezon City. The following signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the launch: Rotary International District 3780 District Governor Dulce dB. Coyukiat, AECOM International Development (implementer of the USAID Philippine Sanitation Alliance project) Chief of Party Lisa K. Lumbao, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. President Rogelio L. Singson, and Barangay Baesa Captain Eduardo R. Juan. Quezon City Vice-Mayor Herbert Bautista, City Councilor Bernadette Herrera-Dy, USAID officer Jose Dulce, and members of the Rotary Community Corps of Baesa were also present to grace the occasion.

The project overview was presented by PSA Chief of Party Lisa Lumbao, followed by a presentation on the proposed combined sewerage system and sewage treatment plant project by Maynilad Head of Sewerage and Sanitation, Tony Garcia. Paul Tatlonghari from Quezon City's Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department present the environmental initiatives and programs of the city. Barangay Captain Ed Juan made the closing remarks after the formal MOU signing.

The four partners will work together to develop and implement a work plan to support Maynilad's sewage treatment system through community awareness raising and improved solid waste management. Hygiene promotion through handwashing will also be promoted in public schools.

The Pasig River project is one of five projects in the Philippines supported by the USAID-Rotary International H2O Collaboration, an agreement between Rotary International and USAID to collaborate on water supply and sanitation projects in three developing countries: Dominican Republic, Ghana and Philippines. The other four Philippine projects are located in San Fernando, La Union; and Davao, Dipolog, and Zamboanga Cities in Mindanao.

Memorandum of Understanding
DG Dulce Coyukiat's Message
US Embassy Press Release
GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY