Along major rivers: Septic tanks to be installed

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office is planning to install septic tanks for those residents living near the rivers of Bulacao, Guadalupe, and Lahug.

This after the environmental office has tallied hundreds of residents who do not have septic tanks in their residences.  In the absence of septic tanks, the residents’ wastes reportedly go directly to the rivers.

Based on the profiling data, of the 395 residents living near the Bulacao River, there are 259 who have comfort rooms, while 133 do not have. About 184 individuals have septic tanks, while 163 do not have.

Along the Guadalupe River, of the 1,135 residents, there are 908 who have comfort rooms, while 223 do not hav.  About 648 have septic tanks, while 389 live without septic tanks.

Of the 624 residents living along the Lahug River, about 549 have comfort rooms, while 78 do not have. There are 343 with septic tanks, while 266 do not have.

To recall, the CCENRO has conducted a profiling of those living along the rivers to determine how many residents live without septic tanks.

The profiling came after they found out during the cleanup of the three rivers that human waste is among the contributor of waste.

CCENRO Head Ma. Nida Cabrera said there is a need to put up septic tanks in these areas so that the human waste will not go to the rivers.

She has asked Mayor Tomas Osmeña to charge at least P2 million for the procurement of septic tanks under Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) funds.

“Next namong move, i-priority namo ang pag-provide og septic tanks kay sa among nakita lisod man gyud ang mga tawo nga namuyo sa sapa. Ang siyudad mo-provide lang og septic tank igo nalang motakod didto aron ang ilahang hugaw is masulod didto,” Cabrera said.

However, she could not give a definite number of septic tanks that will be established in every river, since it depends on the number of residents.

“For example sa total residents nga wala’y septic 94 kabuok, naa man ta’y septic nga masulod og upat or naa sa’y 20, depende sa gidak-on sa area. Kay mo-depend man pud mi sa area nga amoang addressan. Kung dako, katong dako-dako. Kung wala kana lang maka-cater lang og upat ka family,” Cabrera said.

Meanwhile, the CCENRO will hold an education campaign on the residents living near the Lahug and Guadalupe Rivers on the proper disposal of waste.

They would also organize the residents for their responsibilities to maintain the cleanliness in the area.

The CCENRO had already educated the residents near Bulacao River. In fact, Cabrera observed that the river is now clean compared to the previous situation.

“Nakita namo nga problema lang gihapon, naa’y uban area for example ang Bulacao, nagsugod mani sa information drive, dili na kaayo ang hugaw. Nalimit ang pglabay didto, gi-organize man namo ang Bulacao, naa na’y opisyales, so ang Bulacao, na-reduce ang kahugaw sa sapa,” she said. — GAN (FREEMAN)