Mandaue City has been identified as the priority location for the first phase of a proposed centralized sewerage system that aims to reduce wastewater pollution across Metro Cebu.
Supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the long-term initiative seeks to establish a wastewater collection and treatment network that would eventually serve eight local government units, stretching from Compostela in northern Cebu to Talisay City in the south, including the Mactan islands.
Stakeholders gathered in Mandaue on Oct. 29, 2026, for the presentation of the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) covering the proposed Mandaue Service Area.
The Record of Discussions for the project was signed in April 2024.
The proposed Centralized Sewerage Treatment Facility would be built at the Mandaue Green Learning Center Park in Barangay Umapad.
IEE consultant Dr. Danilo Jaque said the lack of a centralized treatment system contributes to water pollution because untreated domestic wastewater flows through drainage systems before reaching creeks and rivers.
The proposed network would collect wastewater through sewer lines and channel it to a treatment facility for processing before discharge.
Four barangays have been identified as priority areas for the initial implementation: Maguikay, Alang-Alang, Ibabao-Estancia and Casuntingan.
The proposed main sewer pipelines would run along UN Avenue, Plaridel Street, M.C. Briones Street and M.L. Quezon Avenue.
Mandaue was selected as the priority area following an assessment by JICA and Hydronet Consultants, which considered environmental impact, financial viability, land availability and the city’s receptiveness to the project.
Deguchi Yosuke, water department manager of Phikkoei International Inc. and a Japanese consultant for JICA, said Cebu does not yet have a centralized sewerage network covering the entire city, although some establishments already operate modular wastewater treatment plants.
Consultant Joan Jaque said the proposed system is expected to improve water quality once households and establishments are connected to the network and their wastewater is properly treated.
The Mandaue phase is estimated to take seven to eight years, while completing the entire Metro Cebu sewerage system could take around 80 years.
The proposed system is expected to handle industrial, commercial and domestic wastewater.
The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), which received a JICA grant, is currently the executing agency for the study. The next steps include preparing a master plan and conducting a feasibility study to determine the project’s technical requirements, financing arrangements and the agency that will oversee construction.
Mandaue City’s role includes providing land for the proposed treatment facility.
During the consultation, the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed support for the initiative, citing the need for a centralized wastewater system in an industrialized city with numerous commercial establishments.
However, the business group sought clear guidelines for companies that already operate their own wastewater treatment facilities, particularly on how they could connect to the proposed network.
Department of Public Works and Highways 7 Maintenance Division Chief Engr. Faustino Dela Cruz Jr. also requested access to the engineering design and layout once the master plan is completed.
He said this would help ensure coordination, particularly for sewer pipelines that may pass through national roads under the agency’s jurisdiction.
City Planning and Development Office head Architect Marlo Ocleasa welcomed the proposal and expressed hope that the city could begin implementing the pilot project.
Jaque said stakeholder feedback would be considered as the initiative moves forward.
“Everybody understands that there is really a need for this kind of project,” she said.
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