Saturday, February 03, 2007 Village, not prison, gets Tom’s support
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña supported Barangay Kalunasan officials and residents in opposing the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology’s plan to drill for water from their source, for the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center (BBRC).
The mayor said he will stand by his constituents, as he instructed Barangay Captain Francisco Pinto to file a complaint with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the foul odor emanating from the jail.
The Cebu City Government is also building a wastewater treatment plant in Kalunasan to eliminate the stench. Mactan Rock Industries volunteered to set up the facility.
Coupled with a bio-digester, which uses a chemical to neutralize the odor, the plant is also projected to provide power in the future, the mayor said.
Residents have complained for over a year now about the stench from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) and from BBRC, which had over 900 inmates last December.
In a separate interview, City Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. said an engineer already surveyed the jail last Wednesday. Depending on the negotiations, Mactan Rock might just donate the facility.
“We’re just trying to solve the problem. Our primary concern here is the people of Kalunasan who complained about the stench,” he said.
Also, the mayor said he will support Kalunasan in opposing the use of their water sources by BBRC.
Kalunasan officials and residents have blocked attempts by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 to conduct drillings for the jail’s wells.
They fear that their own well will dry up once water is pumped from where they get their supply.
Rep. Antonio Cuenco has helped with attempts to reach an agreement. He will ask for the help of the University of San Carlos Water Resource Center to verify the residents’ fears. (RHM)
