WHAT CAUSES THE FLOODING? This is an unusual sight of a flooded CPG North Avenue, during the past days when the city experienced heavy downpour spawned by a cold front. The main culprit is on the newly completed drainage project which needs a smooth release to its outfall and a waste water treatment facility. Foto DANNY REYES

City Mayor Dan Lim reiterated his assurance to construct a water treatment facility. He reissued said assurance during yesterday's edition of "Mayor's Report," his weekly radio program over dyRD. However, his pronouncement did not include details nor a clear timetable on when the project will commence. The mayor said he is willing to make this water treatment project a priority considering the mounting

However, in a check made with DPWH Dist Engr. Adlaon, it was learned that said project was already awarded to LYUM Construction and the work will be completed after 30 working days.

The city mayor, during his weekly radio program said that he could not find the absence of a water treatment facility as the reason behind the recent floodings along CPG North Avenue. He ordered to post a "watchman" to confirm the claim of the management of Coca-Cola plant that it is not disposing its waste water to the drainage system along CPG Ave. The statement of the mayor came after lawyer Rene Paredes, residing near the plant told dyRD's top-rated "Inyong Alagad" program that he personally saw waste water going down the street drainage from the plant. In fact, he presented photos he personally took at the site.

LIM

He recalled that he was the one who insisted to have this drainage project included in the concreting of CPG Ave. which he acknowledged to be the brainchild of Gov. Erico Aumentado, the father of the Bohol Circumferential Road Project.

Included in the report submitted by the DPWH having illegal drainage taps 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 of BQ Mall.

However, no one of the 30 or more establishments were penalized by the city government, nor were forced to cut or block their waste connections to the drainage system, until it was closed by Hanjin Construction after its completion last week of March this year.

Observers noted the city mayor has long time promised for the water treatment project. However, until now, no details, is known by the public.

The mayor, lately, made a new pronouncement that the city will avail of a loan to finance the said water treatment facilities, one along Graham Avenue, and the other in Taloto district, this city.

Former OIC Gov. Victor de la Serna, in whose lot the water outfall area is located, vowed to block the flow of water to the seawaters off Tagbilaran City Port if the the city government will not be able to construct the water treatment facilitity.

"I would not allow this environmental disaster to happen," De la Serna was earlier quoted as saying.

RICO URGES DAN TO ACT ON DRAINAGE

Gov. Erico Aumentado finally breaks his silence on the much needed water treatment facility at the city's drainage outflow amid growing public clamor on the continued flooding at the city's low-lying areas during heavy rains.

The governor, who called up dyRD's Tagbilaran-By-Nite Friday urged City Mayor Dan Lim to "fulfil his commitment" made during a series of coordination meetings and set up a wastewater treatment plant.

"The mayor had previously assured that there is a group (contractor) who agreed to set up a waste water treatment plant," Amentado said, hence he does not want to interfere and give a chance to the mayor to make good of his commitment.

Aumentado said he had an agreement with Rep. Edgar Chatto that they would provide assistance to the city government and seek the assistance of Pres. Arroyo, "if the city mayor formally seeks our help."

"We need the cooperation of the city government," he said, "the mayor should admit the city government does not have the resources to undertake such project."
According to Aumentado, the water treatment "should be a primary responsibility of the city government."

In fact, the governor stressed, "the provincial government built its own water treatment for wastewater coming from the Capitol building" in order to set an example with business establishments and residences.

The governor also issued an executive order requiring business establishments to strictly comply with the National Building Code and set up their own water treatment facilities.

Aumentado said that during one of their coordination meetings with Bohol Circumferential Road contractor Hanjin Heavy Industries, the mayor even asked Pacific Consultants Inc. (PCI) for an estimate of setting up a water treatment plant.

However, according to the governor, the group constructing the treatment plant for the Provincial Capitol have signified that they can build the facility for the city at an estimated cost of P30 million.

While there is a plan of the city government to avail of a loan and establish a New Growth Center Part, Aumentado suggested that part of the planned loan can be used for the water treatment project instead.

Several households and businesses were found connecting to the city's drainage system which was designed for rainwater only.

The illegal connections have been the subject of complaints from residents as commercial and household wastes overflow at city streets during heavy downpour.

'ENFORCE ORDINANCE'

In a separate interview over dyRD's Inyong Alagad, Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso said there is already an ordinance prohibiting the discharge of wastewater into the newly constructed drainage along CPG Avenue and V. Inting St.

The ordinance, sponsored by Kag. Glovasa was adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod last June 2007, sets the penalties and guidelines for its enforcement.

The enforcers involved a team of inspectors to be headed by the City Health Officer and City Engineer, Veloso said.

"Those who are tasked to enforce the ordinance can regulate the discharge of wastewater into the drainage," the vice mayor stressed.