Sunday, May 14, 2006
Protecting a seascape
ALABEL, Sarangani -- There is more to protection of the seascape than just putting up marine sanctuaries, fishing zones and finishing seasons. After all, one of the greatest causes of marine destruction remains to be nitrates runoff and sewage.
And thus, in a move to protect the water quality of Sarangani Bay, a protected seascape and considered as environmentally critical area, the province is setting up sewage treatment facilities (STF) in coastal towns of Sarangani Province.
According to an official of the Southern Mindanao Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (SMICZMP), the STF project for Sarangani was the "alternative option" for the cancelled sewerage system for General Santos City.
"This project was originally intended for the city being the urban center in Sarangani Bay area," SMICZMP Project Director Romeo Basada told the provincial council recently.
"But for two years of negotiation with the city government we were not able to get the approval of their city council and so we were directed to look for alternative option for this," Basada said.
Sarangani Bay, which hosts rich marine resources including marine wildlife, also hosts General Santos City as the tuna capital of the Philippines.
The city produces substantial volume of effluent due to the large size of its population and the presence of industries and many commercial establishments, according to SMICZMP.
In Sarangani, STF construction activity officially commenced on February 16, with ongoing clearing and grubbing in all STF sites.
The STF's will store and process domestic sewage which is a major source of pollution in Sarangani Bay.
The project costing P359 million was contracted by the China Harbor and Engineering Company after an international competitive bidding.
Basada disclosed that STF funding for each coastal municipality was P62M for Maitum, Kiamba-P69M, Maasim-P42M, Glan-P56M, Malapatan-P49.8M, and Alabel-P60.7M.
The STF is one of the components of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation-assisted SMICZMP, implemented through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
It was given as grant by the National Government with the municipalities providing the land where the facility is constructed.
A project briefer said the STF involves the collection, hauling, and treatment of septage, which is defined as waste (liquid and solid) that has accumulated in household septic tanks.
During the first years of operation when the STF may have excess capacity, the STF may also be used to handle waste from public toilet latrines, and septic tanks found in slaughterhouses, small piggeries, and poultry farms.
"With the implementation of the STF, health and environmental benefits are expected to be realized as there will be reduction of risks of human contact with septage, while environmental benefits will be realized with the improved treatment efficiency of the septic tanks and the provision of proper treatment of collected septage," the briefer said.
Sarangani Bay was declared a protected seascape through Presidential Proclamation No. 756 in 1996 under the implementation of the National Integrated Protected Area System law as a result of consultations with various stakeholders.
Since its declaration, the bay has been managed by a Protected Area Management Board composed of representatives from the local government units, non-government organizations, people's organizations, the academe, and other concerned national government agencies, which would eventually define the various uses and management zones of the bay. (Sarangani Information Office)
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