THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 yesterday said the result of the water sample test from the Kalunasan River will be out in five days.
EMB 7 Director William Cuñado said they inspected the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) and the Cebu City Jail following reports that human wastes from the two facilities are being dumped in the river.
Cuñado said his office collected water samples from the body of water early this week and it is now being analyzed by their experts.
If it’s found that the CPRDC and city jail committed violations, the EMB will meet with the jail officials to rectify these.
Cuñado said his office will not tolerate any violations especially if it concerns the health of the public.
Republic 9275 otherwise known as the Clean Water Act was passed into law in 2004 to “ensure the activation of the water government boards, build sewage and or septage treatment facilities, raise funds for the operations and maintenance of said facilities and enforce anti-pollution laws.”
The CPDRC is under the control of the Cebu Provincial Government while the city jail is under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Gov. Hilario Davide III has directed the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) to investigate what is causing the stench from the river.
Residents living near the two jails as well as the barangay officials have complained of the intolerable odor reeking from the river over the past few weeks.
The human wastes from the two jails’ overfilled septic tanks have allegedly reached the grotto of the Langub Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe de Cebu.