THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has not ordered Cebu City’s “Bagsakan,” which is located in the South Road Properties, to stop operations.
Byron Garcia, brother of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, had filed a formal complaint before the DENR and the Department of Health, raising health and environmental risks posed by the facility.
Robert Barquilla, head of the Market Operations Division, told SunStar Cebu on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, that the DENR conducted an on-site inspection on Friday, Sept. 1, and identified only “minor issues,” contrary to the complainant’s claims.
“So far so good. Limpyo ang area pag-inspection, nya walay baho (The area was clean during inspection, and there was no smell),” Barquilla said. “Walay nakita ang DENR (it didn’t find any health and environmental risks).”
He said the DENR suggested disposing of visible garbage in the area, particularly plastic bottles that were found in the canals.
“The DENR also advised maintaining the use of deodorizing chemicals in the waterlogged areas,” Barquilla said in Cebuano.
He said the City Health Office came up with the same observation and recommendations after inspecting the site last Aug. 10.
In 2020, the “Bagsakan sa SRP” was established to enforce social distancing protocols during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, providing a space for both fish vendors and consumers.
According to Barquilla, the “Bagsakan” will return to its original place at the Pasil Fish Market after the construction of the main road leading to the market and the market’s renovation are completed.