13 firms identified as polluters, implicated in deaths of 2 rivers in Cebu City

A school and several business establishments were among those noted to be sources of pollutants in two Cebu City “dead” rivers: Mahiga Creek and Kinalumsan River

To check the water quality and control polluters, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Ccenro) has started conducting a series of public consultations with stakeholders located along riverways.

In an interview last Oct. 30, Ccenro Chief Nida Cabrera said they prioritized the Mahiga Creek and Kinalumsan River because these are among the most polluted river systems.

“Based on the initial water quality analysis conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), patay na ang duha ka rivers (the two rivers are already dead). It’s also a challenge sa ato sa Syudad; ato na ni i-address ang dugay na nga problema sa atong sapa. Gihimo na siyang usa ka septic tank ug usa ka labayan sa mga basura (It’s also a challenge in the city; we have to address the perennial problem of our rivers. People have been using them as septic tank or a place to throw their garbage),” she told reporters.

Cabrera said her office has identified seven polluters in Kinalumsan, which included a school and several business establishments.

At least six business establishments were also identified as polluters in Mahiga.

“We want to intensify the compliance of the wastewater discharge permit. Pero gihangyo sila nga dako ni og matabang ug mausab ang quality sa tubig sa sapa (We requested them because this will be a big help in changing the quality of the water of our rivers),” Cabrera said.

The permit, issued by the EMB, imposes a fine of from P10,000 to P200,000 a day until violations are corrected.

The creation of a national sewerage and septic management program is mandated under Section 7 of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 to monitor wastewater from households and buildings.

Cabrera said next in the set of consultations will be for Guadalupe River. There are 10 river systems in the city, with Guadalupe River being the biggest and highly at risk because of garbage and human waste.

Cabrera added that aside from bio-fences and eco-bricks, they are looking at phytoremediation to help clean waterways while the consultations are ongoing.

Since last Sept. 19, the bio-fences installed in different waterways in the city have already collected 26 tons of garbage.

The bio-fence is submerged underwater to act as garbage-collecting barriers, and help prevent trash from going to the open sea and harming marine life.

“The bio-fence is a great help because it makes garbage collection easy. The garbage is gathered and easily removed,” Cabrera added.