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Monday, July 01, 2002
Angeles jail's waste, stink: residents
By Dante M. Fabian
ANGELES CITY -- Residents living near the city district jail are complaining on the institution's management for the alleged inaction on the open drainage that carries putrid-smelling drain water in the neighborhood.
The residents also assailed the jail officials for allowing unsightly garbage saying this flows into the drainage system.
The residents said that the stinking smell is caused by a leakage in the jail's septic tanks that converges with the drainage used for laundry, bathing and cleaning.
They added that their neighborhood has been plagued for several years by the foul stench of the drainage system that carries water coming from inside the jail.
"Hindi baleng kaming may edad na malakas ang katawan namin pero yung maraming maliit na bata, madaling magkasakit yan," a resident said.
During an investigation by Councilor Alex Indiongco, chairman of the city council's committee on health, Supt. Romeo Celga, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Angeles City District Jail warden, disputed the residents' allegations saying that there are no leaks in any of the five septic tanks of the jail.
Celga added that there is no alternative route for draining huge volumes of water from the jail.
According to Celga, considering the ground contour and elevations in the area, diversion of the used water from the drainage is not possible.
He explained that the drainage system is the only natural waterway for waste water from the jail which houses about 328 inmates.
Celga further explained that the BJMP provides his office with funds barely enough for the food of the inmates.
He said that BJMP does not have funds for the construction of a closed drainage system to solve the problem causing the stinking smell of the drainage.
Councilor Ares Yabut said Juanito Cruz, city engineer, should inspect and scrutinize the septic vaults in the jail to determine if there are leaks in them.
Councilor Agapito Del Rosario said that after the inspections, the city engineer shall prepare a cost estimate and program of works needed for possible repair of the drainage system. He, however, would not assure residents on the availability of funds at the moment.
"Titingnan ko kung ano ang magagawa ng konseho hinggil sa problema," Del Rosario said. |
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