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Public
awaits drainage outfall
laboratory tests
SAVE
TAGBILARAN BAY. The crystal clear seawater that welcomes tourists at the Tagbilaran
City
Port should be a concern after the drainage outfall was opened with the
water from the city's new drainage system to be flushed out to this sea every
time it rains. Until when will the seawater remain clear and clean if this water
outfall remains open. The lab test of its water is awaited by the public. Foto
DANNY REYES | | The
public awaits results of two separate laboratory tests on the run-off rainwater
from the drainage outfall at Graham Avenue, this city, fronting the modern Tagbilaran
City Port which is the country's premier "tourist port."
Provincial
Environment and Natural Resources Officer Nestor Canda said the results of the
lab test will be interpreted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) which is mandated to protect the marine resources after the drainage outfall
was opened upon orders of the city mayor last Nov. 6 despite the unresolved issues
on the alleged illegal connections. |
The
opening of the outfall was anchored on the lab test shown by city consultant Engr
Cecil Corloncito. However, the said lab test was not recognized by DENR as it
was not known where the test was conducted. Canda said "only DENR accredited
laboratories are duly recognized."
Gov.
Erico Aumentado who intervened in the nagging drainage problem in the city repeatedly
said the opening of the outfall surprised him as there was no prior coordination
meeting conducted on such decision. The last thing he knew was the city mayor
asked him to request the DPWH to turn over the drainage project to the city government
before he (Lim) would assume actions on the drainage issue.
However, even
before the request of the mayor could be attended to by DPWH, he (mayor) decided
to open the drainage outfall.
| | | The
opening of the outfall was the "solution to the flooding problem along CPG
Avenue," trumpets the city mayor even as the governor expressed concern on
the possible pollution it might bring to the seawaters at Tagbilaran Bay.
"The
laboratory test is very crucial," the governor said yesterday as he ordered
Canda to keep a close monitoring on the lab results. He likewise ordered the Bohol
Environment Management Office (BEMO) to subject the water samples at the outfall
to another independent laboratory in Cebu City. | While
residents along CPG Avenue expressed elation on the end of flooding, the environmental
impact at the bay is now greatly being considered by environmentalists here and
in other areas who have monitored the dropping of water from a new drainage system
to the seawaters without the benefit of a water treatment facility.
The
city government has long been declaring to construct a multi-million water treatment
facility but nothing has been seen to date. Residents of Taloto district, this
city, are divided - whether they will allow or not the construction of water treatment
facility in the area.
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