A Capitol delegation is in Japan to embark on a new partnership to develop the provincial government’s capacity on wastewater treatment and system. Headed by Provincial Administrator Alfonso Damalerio II and Director Constante Llanes, Jr. of DPWH, the Filipino delegation, is currently in Saitama, Japan, for a Training Program on the Maintenance Technology of Integrated Wastewater Treatment Tanks and Systems for the Philippines. The training focuses on the best practices and innovative technology of Japan, particularly those developed in the Prefecture of Saitama. In January of last year, Saitama Prefecture Governor Ueda Kiyoshi along with and some staff from the Ministry of Labor of Japan visited the province and met with Gov. Edgar Chatto to discuss possible partnership projects.

Yoshiji Matsuda and wife Dori of the OM Mfg. Co., Ltd. From Saitama facilitated the meeting and visited Bohol a couple more times to sit with Damalerio and Provincial Planning and Development Officer Atty. John Titus Vistal. After the series of discussions, they agreed to venture into the area of wastewater treatment and management system, also as a prelude to the forthcoming New Bohol Airport. The project specifies environmental protection as an integral component. Saitama is famous for using the "Johkasou" system of wastewater treatment for small household-level wastewater treatment, which is an alternative to the construction of a large (but very expensive) wastewater treatment system. The Johkasou system relies on bacteria to treat wastewater, so that the effluent is less harmful to the environment. It uses a combination of anaerobic and toxic treatment processes, to ensure that the release of methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere is minimized.

In terms of impact on the climate, methane is 21 times more damaging than carbon dioxide in its potential to cause global warming, while nitrous oxide is 300+ times more damaging than carbon dioxide. The training highlighted detailed discussions with resource persons from Japan about the possibility of utilizing the Johkasou system in the Philippines. Resource persons said the Johkasou system has already been successfully implemented in Indonesia, whose climate and economic circumstances are identical to those of the Philippines). Provincial Administrator Damalerio was also able to speak with the Governor of Saitama Prefecture. In behalf of the governor and the rest of the provincial officials, he extended Bohol's interest to learn from their technology to implement its own Wastewater Management System. The delegation also visited major facilities, such as the Okubo Water Purification Plant and the Arakawa Wastewater Treatment Plant, both in Saitama Prefecture. Sponsored by the Human Resources and Industry Development Association (HIDA) of the Japanese Government, in close coordination with Saitama Prefecture, and with assistance from Philippines-Japan Worldwide (PJW), the training runs from February 18-28, 2013. (EDCOM)