City sewage plant to undergo assessment

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) is expected to assess the operation of the city's Sewage Treatment Plant in North Reclamation Area after it found out that the discharge permit has already expired.

"Your facility's discharge permit is already expired, thus committing prohibited act stated in Section 27 C under Article 2 of DAO 2005-10 the implementing rules and regulations of RA 9275 or otherwise known as the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 for operating facilities that discharge regulated water pollutant without the valid required permits," reads a notice from William Cuñado, director of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-7.

CCENRO received the notice on June 22.

CCENRO chief Feliciano Alinson Jr. said he learned about the status of the discharge permit only through the notice.

"Nakibaw ko ani tungod ra gyud sa notice. Naka-address pa na sa former OIC (Arlie Gesta). Actually, naa mi technical conference, basi’g nataligan-an tingali na ba," he told the FREEMAN.

A discharge permit is the legal authorization granted by the regional office (EMB-7) to discharge liquid waste or pollutants of specified concentration and volume into any water or land resource for a specified period of time. It is valid for one year.

The Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 provides that "any person who commits any of the prohibited acts provided in the immediately preceding section or violates any of the provision of this act or its implementing rule and regulations shall be fined by the secretary upon the recommendation of the PAB in the amount of not less than P 10,000 nor more than P200, 000 for every day of violation."

CCENRO is required to appoint an accredited pollution control officer (PCO) pursuant to Section 3 OF DAO 1992-26.

CENRO will bring to the technical conference its built-in plan, including complete list of clients availing of the services of the treatment facility.

The technical conference will be held at EMB-7 office in Banilad, Mandaue City on August 4. (FREEMAN)