(From left) IWK Corporate Planning Department head Azuan Ahmad Zahdi, Narendran, Ching, IWK chairman Johnie Ahmad Zawawi, Baguio city environment and parks management office department head Rhenan G. Diwas, and engineer Wilbur S. Suanding after the MOA signing.
INDAH Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and government of Baguio took a step towards elevating sewerage management in the Philippine city, through ADB’s Water Organisations Partnership for Resilience Programme (Wop4r).
Under Wop4r, IWK has been selected as mentor to Baguio city environment and park management office (Cepmo) for a period of 12 months.
This collaboration will help transfer 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.
A memorandum of agreement was signed at IWK headquarters in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry secretary-general Dr Ching Thoo Kim.
The document was signed by IWK chief executive officer Narendran Maniam, ADB water and urban development sector office strategy and partnerships director Satoshi Ishii and Baguio mayor Benjamin B. Magalong.
Baguio city, located some 250km from Manila, is known as the summer capital of the Philippines, owing to its cool climate since the city is located approximately 1,470m above sea level.
As a popular tourist destination, the city is deeply concerned about environmental integrity and sustainable development, and recognises the pivotal role water resources play in various aspects of local governance.
In a statement, Narendran said, “We extend our appreciation to ADB and Baguio government 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.”
Through Wop4r, ADB, IWK and the government of Baguio have developed a joint work plan, outlining activities that include remote consultations, in-person information exchange visits, knowledge transfer, training and development, as well as other related initiatives with Cepmo.
