Lawmakers ask Hanjin to plug
drainage taps
By KIT BAGAIPO

ELUSIVE SOLUTION. The nagging drainage problem in the city seems to be far from its solution as conflicting views are aired by city consultant Engr Cecil Corloncito (left foto) together with Kag Oscar Glovasa and City Administrator Walter Toston. Right foto shows Prov'l BM Ae Damalerio and Prov'l BM Yul Lopez articulate Capitol's concern on this unsolved problem which was tackled during a special session last Friday. Foto: DANNY REYES

It's back to the contractor again.

Provincial and city lawmakers will pass this week two separate resolutions asking Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) to cut-off connections to the city drainage.

The South Korean contractor is scheduled to turnover the controversial drainage project next month after it was delayed for more than a year since its completion on January 2007.

During the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) meeting last Friday, in which Board Members Alfonso Damalerio II and Cesar Tomas Lopez were in attendance with representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), it was agreed that the connections coming from some 40 commercial buildings and houses going to the drainage should be plugged by Hanjin.

Damalerio and Lopez, as chairmen of the provincial board committees on environment and health respectively, committed to sponsor the resolution at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) session on Tuesday.

For his part, Bohol PENRO Nestor Canda reiterated his position he will not allow the opening of the drainage outfall if the illegal connections are not plugged or without the water treatment plant.

BACKTRACKING

Meanwhile, City Health Officer Dr. Antonio Porticos said during the SP meeting that he can only commence inspecting the drainage illegal connections when Hanjin has turned over the project.

WATER TREATMENT

While everyone in the SP meeting agreed that a waste water treatment plant should immediately be constructed, city consultant on environmental concerns Engr. Cecil Corloncito said that the outfall near the Tagbilaran City Port be opened.

Corloncito explained that health hazards and pollution will double if stagnant wastes are clogged at the drainage.

Based on results of water samples taken from the drainage, Corloncito said the level of pollution is within acceptable standards of the DENR.

According to the Corloncito, rain and seawater has a diluting effect to commercial and household wastewater coming from the drainage.

He said that while a treatment plant has yet to be built, it is much better to open the outfall.

When asked when the city government can start the treatment plant construction, City Administrator Walter Toston said the earliest would be December this year.

According to Toston, the timeframe given by City Mayor Dan Lim to start the project by August cannot be met due to bids and awards procedure that has to be followed.

DENR, DPWH UNITED
IN THEIR STAND

Both the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are united in their stand to "disconnect all existing sewerage tapping.

DPWH District Engr. Celestino Adlaon signed a document which called for the disconnection of the sewerage tapping.

In support of the two agencies' stand, City Kagawad Oscar Glovasa, sponsored Ordinance No. C-205 which "prohibits the discharge of wastewater into the newly constructed drainage system along CPG Avenue. The city ordinance was enacted June 27, 2007. The public is surprised why Glovasa has not demanded the implementation of his sponsored ordinance.