Duterte asked to stop drilling in subdivision

CEBU, Philippines - Discontented with the Mandaue City government’s action, a group of homeowners from a private subdivision is seeking President Duterte’s intervention to stop an illegal drilling operation in their place.

Raul Lumapas, a representative of Greenhills Homeowners Association Inc. (GHAI) in Barangay Casuntingan, said they are concerned the ongoing drilling of another well in their area may affect the quality of their existing water source.

During a press conference yesterday morning, Lumapas and several other homeowners expressed their frustration over the city government’s supposed inaction.

“We would have wanted our concern and problem to be resolved at the local level but, regrettably, our letters to Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing seeking for an audience have fallen on deaf ears that we had no other recourse but to write and request help from your office,” read Lumapas’ letter addressed to President Duterte.

Lumapas said the drilling of a second well, initiated by GHAI officers and board of directors, is illegal because it allegedly lacks approval from the national and local government.

The pit being dug is now about 260 feet deep. The digging started three years ago.

Lumapas said it is not necessary to drill another well because the subdivision can always tap the services of a local water distribution firm for its water needs.

He added that based on the National Water Resource Board (NSWRB) guidelines, the drilling operation for a second well is illegal.

Last April 9, the NSWRB reportedly implemented a moratorium on the issuance of water permits due to the worsening of saltwater intrusion in Cebu’s aquifers.

Lumapas added the NSWRB also raised the same issue to the city government.

GHAI, composed of 146 residents, now fears that saltwater may intrude into the existing water source because of the drilling.

Lumapas also claimed the drilling works are being undertaken on wrong ground because its elevation is only about 22 meters, which is lower than the desired 70-meter contour line.

If the contour line is lower, he said, there is a chance that saltwater will interrupt the flow of freshwater.

Sought for comment, Quisumbing’s chief of staff, Lawyer Elaine Bathan, denied allegations the city did not act on GHAI’s concerns.

In fact, she said the city has issued a cease and desist order against the drilling operation.

“This was acted upon immediately. It is not accurate and it’s not correct to say that the city did not act on it,” Bathan said.

Bathan added that the city government eventually received a letter from the president of GHAI requesting to reconsider the drilling operation and that a deliberation will soon be conducted regarding the matter.

Data from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board showed that Lumapas is no longer an official of GHAI. (FREEMAN)