THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday said it will investigate an allegation that a construction project of the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus (USC-TC) would cause floods in nearby areas.
DENR 7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said the agency received a report from concerned citizens that USC-TC allegedly cut several trees and conducted earth-moving activities on a 220-hectare portion of the campus.
USC-TC, in an e-mailed statement, denied that its project would cause floods in nearby areas.
“The undertakings of the University of San Carlos (USC) at the Talamban Campus have the necessary permits and follow sound engineering procedures,” it said. “The USC has been giving prime regard to the environment, and its works adopt mitigating measures allowed by authorities.”
It said flood intervention measures were completed three years ago. These include the USC stadium, which will serve as detention pond, and the soccer field, which is designed as rain catchment that will allow water to replenish the aquifer.
A storm water drain system from the Maria Luisa Estate also traverses the USC property and connects to the adjacent Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) catchment.
The USC also denied the allegation that there is quarrying on the Talamban Campus. It says earth-moving was conducted to develop sites for buildings.
It said the USC only covers 30 hectares, not 220. The rest of the land in Talamban is owned by the SVD Philippine Southern Province.
Llamedo said DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 Director William Cunado will send a team to inspect the USC-TC project.
“The proponent (USC) should be responsible in putting up adequate sedimentation ponds to catch eroded sediments during heavy rains and should present tree cutting permits if there are trees affected by its development,” Llamedo said.
He said the EMB will look into USC’s compliance with its environmental compliance certificate.
The Department of Public Works and Highways 7 said it will join the EMB inspection.