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PUBLIC
ENEMY NO. 1. If the drainage turns out to be a sewerage disposal, it will
be the biggest 'black mark' for Bohol's environment and tourism. | | The
public is demanding that measures be taken to ensure that the output of the soon-to-be
completed drainage system in the city should be cleared from pollutants especially
that it will go directly to the seawaters of the Tagbilaran City Port.
City
Mayor Dan Lim insisted last Friday to expose all business establishments and households
'illegally' tapping into the ongoing drainage project along CPG Avenue while DPWH
District Engr. Celestino Adlaon recommended their immediate disconnection.
The
task force led by Adlaon, which was created by Gov. Erico Aumentado to inspect
the ongoing drainage improvement project amid concerns that wastewater coming
from these unauthorized connections would pollute the waterways down to the Tagbilaran
bay, has found that there were at least 37 commercial and residential buildings
tapping into the drainage network. |
The
inspection was conducted last week together with city engineer Moises Millanar.
According
to a member of said task force, the connections could have been allowed by workers
of Hanjin as it is unlikely that these were made without the knowledge of the
contractor when the identified households and residents were drilling their own
canals going to the drainage.
The
team, in its report dated December 12, 2006, recommended to the governor that
the connections should be cut-off. Aumentado, in turn, endorsed the recommendation
last Wednesday to Mayor Lim for action, the drainage facility being in the jurisdiction
of the city government.
However,
on top of the list (of illegal connections) is the provincial Capitol building,
which the governor denied having learned during an interview with "Pulso"
program over DyRD last week.
| | | Illegal
tappings include those of Paul Flores, Occidental Enterprises, Jojie Bakeshop
(beside McDonalds), Kristin pharmacy, LTS Lodge, PMI Colleges, United Coconut
Planters Bank, MetroCenter Hotel and JJs Dimsum restaurant.
Others
included in the report are Lica Trading, YY Home Builders, City Savings Bank,
College Assurance Plan (CAP), Lumayag building, Ramasola Original, Ramasola Super
Studio, Holy Name Funeral Homes, Atty. Cicilio Dangay, Vicente Manalo, Fortune
II building, Nemesio Lunghas, and Siglo Tubig, Ananias Pasok, George Lim, Mario
Lloyd Guttierez, Dr. Morgia building, Fortunato Lim (in front of Wisdom School),
Apolinario Apat, Pasajero Motor's Corp./Pamocor, City Machine Shop, Nutri Mart
Enterprises, Samson Cia, Butalid Marketing, Quibir Trade Center building, Lucky
Rose Eatery c/o Rosita Duhaylungsod, and BreadBasket c/o Bohol Quality Mall. |
The
task force's report also recommended that "all downspout(s) should be exposed
for the purpose of monitoring and identification on locations of illegal tappings
between manholes which shall be done during final clean-up and inspection. Plugging
shall be made thereafter," Adlaon said.
The
report was signed by Millanar and Engr. Rebocato R. Uayan of the DPWH I.
Adlaon
emphasized that the new canal system, if completed, is primarily intended for
water drainage and not for sewerage or water wastes from establishment or houses
along the said street.
Houses
and businesses along the waterways should build their own septic tanks instead
of disposing their wastewater directly into the drainage network, Adlaon stressed.
The
governor also promised to call for a meeting with the owners concerned to resolve
the illegal connections.
TREATMENT
PLANT
The
public is demanding from the city and provincial governments to immediately come
up with a detailed plan for a water treatment plant of the drainage system. This
is necessary in order to save the Tagbilaran City Port from getting the pollutants
since it is where the drainage will be pumped out.
Without
a water treatment, the seawater at the which is the gateway of visiting tourists
will badly suffer from criticism s as it will surely make the seawater dirty as
what we see in Manila and Cebu ports. |
