The row on what's finally to be done on the controversial drainage problem in the city seems to find the ultimate move to protect the environment, both inland and the seawaters off Tagbilaran City Port, declared "tourist port in the country."

Nestor Canda, newly designated CENRO of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) categorically declared that the agency will not clear the opening of the exit fall of the new drainage system if the sewerage connections of some 30 establishments along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue will not be disconnected.

The statement of Canda came in the wake of contrasting statements issued by involved agencies regarding the much delayed drainage project recently completed by Hanjin Construction.

He said that per environmental policies, the multi-million project along the city's main street was designed only for drainage, and not for sewerage, thus, it follows that no clearance can be issued if the outfall includes sewerage disposal from establishments in the city.

In fact, Adlaon also manifested that "DWPH will prevent further connections to ensure that the proposed drainage system at San Jose Street is free from pollution and domestic wastes."

The raging controversy on the drainage project escalated when the city government, until this time, failed to construct the water treatment facility. City Mayor Dan Lim has repeatedly assured residents that the city government will construct the facility within three months. However, until now, it has not presented any design nor project cost even as the drainage project has already been awaiting the final clearance for the outfall in order not to pollute the seawaters.

City consultant Engr. Cecil Corloncito, for his part, said that per laboratory test, it is "more environmentally safe" to release the drainage/sewerage to the seawaters, instead of storing it inland which will cause flooding to residences. He said that laboratory test conducted showed the pollutants to be tolerable for disposal to the seawaters fronting the City Port.

However, Canda, in reaction to this said that DENR will not just accept any laboratory test. He assured that DENR will have its independent lab test to determine the "level of pollution" contained in the drainage before it will be decided on whether it is safe to be dropped to its outfall along Graham Avenue, this city.

Canda issued the statement last Thursday during "Alarma," a monthly forum of the Bohol Tri Media Association regularly held at Café Olegario in Loay town and aired live over dyRD and dyTR.

DPWH UNDERSECRETARY
WARNS DEVIATIONS

DPWH Undersecretary Bonoan assured the Boholanos that if the agency "can find deviations in the project, it will not accept the project from the contractor."

During a long distance interview over dyRD's top rated "Inyong Alagad" program, the DPWH official said that "illegal sewerage tapping can be considered as deviations in the project as it will be harmful (in effect) to the environment.

Bonoan said that if the local government units will empower the DPWH, then they will cut the sewerage connections.

It maybe noted that earlier both the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in separate resolutions, asked the DPWH not to accept the project if the sewerage tapping are not disconnected from the new drainage system.

The DWPH official also appealed to both LGUs to stop blaming each other and instead focus on the solutions needed to be done to hit a breakthrough in this deadlock of opinions.