ALTHOUGH most industries and establishments in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are compliant with the water and air quality requirements set by the government, some still lack wastewater treatment facilities.
The Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera (DENR-CAR) warned these businesses to comply or face sanctions.
Engineer Louell Barton Jr., Engineer III of the Water and Air Management Section of the Environmental and Enforcement Division of EMB-CAR, said aside from minor glitches, the region is still compliant with the clean air and water acts.
“For water quality, generally for the Baguio and Benguet area, our establishments are very compliant. Of course, we cannot do away with minor non-compliances like manufacturing industries. We also have gasoline stations that have very minimal waste management generation, but in general, the Cordillera Administrative Region is very compliant when it comes to wastewater and with the provisions of the clean water act,” Barton said.
Barton said the EMB regularly checks different establishments in Baguio City, particularly those in the export industry, and are given reprimands.
“Not all establishments have their own waste-to-water facilities connected to the city and provincial sewer lines. Those establishments that discharge their effluents to any receiving water body needs to get a discharge permit from the EMB,” Barton added.
Barton said the EMB conducts quarterly testing of water samples for those having discharge permits.
DENR Administrative Order 2016-08 sets parameters and standards for compliance, depending on the classification of a river system, aside from predetermined priority parameters in which a specific establishment should comply.