Sewers do not attract attention when they work. By November 2025, all 28 wastewater treatment facilities operated by Manila Water were fully compliant with government effluent standards, surpassing regulatory targets. When sewers work, cities breathe easier. But in a country long frustrated by projects that never seem to end, work that is finished, and works, quietly matters. A global safety system built for decisive action can trigger a localized communication crisis that demands an immediate, empathetic response.

Source: Philippine Star January 31, 2026 16:39 UTC