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In yet another
twist of the controversial city drainage system, the city government is now urging
the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) national office to decline
the turnover of the said project scheduled next month.
In
a resolution sponsored en masse by the Sangguniang Panlungsod, DPWH Sec. Hermogenes
Ebdane was asked not to accept the turn-over of the San Jose Street Drainage System
project unless it has complied with three commitments made by the DPWH's Bohol's
First Engineering District.
| | | The
resolution stated that on March 22, 2007, the First Engineering District with
the project's contractor Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction and Pacific
Consultants International (PCI) promised the city government and the Environmental
Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR (a) to disconnect all existing sewerage tappings
within one month, (b) prevent further connections to ensure that the drainage
system is from pollution and domestic waste, and (c) to submit compliance report
after disconnecting all existing sewer connections within one month.
It
may be recalled that on September 8, 2006, the DPWH First Engineering District
filed a certificate of non-coverage (CNC) application for the storm drainage project
which was awarded to Hanjin and PCI. | The
CNC was issued October 2, 2006 but complaints were lodged at the barangay council
of Cogon against the project.
On
January 22, 2007, then EMB chief Nestor Canda submitted an inspection report on
the development of the project with the findings that there was a deviation of
plan since the project was intended for storm water and that the description of
the project as submitted by the DPWH was only for the rehabilitation of the existing
city drainage.
The
SP resolution stated that with the impending turnover of the project to the city
government on June 2008, the DENR has made it clear that the full operation of
the system can only be possible if all 3 commitments are complied.
It
stated further that, the "rising public clamor to address the present predicament
deserves utmost consideration and immediate attention."
The
resolution is presently being referred to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee
on public works.
Copies
of which were also given to Gov. Erico Aumentado, the 3 Bohol congressmen, DPWH,
the EMB-DENR, Hanjin and PCI. | 
