City creeks, waterways inspected
Oplan Karayan, a two-week program for the inspection and assessment of city creeks and waterways is ongoing through the efforts of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), Health Services Office (HSO), Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the barangays concerned.
This was reported by Environmental Management Division (EMD-CEPMO) head Engr. Sofronio Pascua during the Punong Barangays (PBs) meeting Thursday, Nov. 6 at city hall.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong thanked in advance, barangay citizens as to their cooperation in maintaining cleanliness in rivers and reminded the general public that garbage-less rivers mitigate risks specially during heavy rainfall.
The inspection continues in the next week, with the issuance of notice of violation (NOV) and Sanitary Order, and filing of cases as necessary and endorsed to the City Legal Office (CLO).
Trash traps in rivers shall also be installed, in coordination with the City Engineering Office (CEO) and barangays.
Pascua reported on the water quality result for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) which decreased from trillions to billions Fecal Coliform, the sampling points being Teachers Camp, Botanical Garden, Imelda Marcos Village, M. Roxas bridge, Brookside, Rimando bridge, Sumulong Creek, New Lucban, corner M. Roxas-Magsaysay private road, Sto. Nino/|Slaughter, Ferguson creek, Sagudin – North and South Sanitary Camp, Parapad, Mamaga and Pines Park Km. 4, La Trinidad Benguet.
Inspections were done in 32 structures in Happy Homes, Old Lucban; 7 in North Sanitary Camp, 8 in South Sanitary Camp and 6 in Magsaysay, Private road; where notice of violations (NOV) and sanitation orders were issued.
According to Engr. Pascua, violations in said barangays include waste water from toilet bowls, kitchen waste, animal waste, solid waste and leaking septic tank wastes are directly dumped into the river.
In his report, Engr. Pascua said that NOVs for the four major waterways from Jan. 2025 to present date were: Balili – 47, Bued – 36, Galiano – 8, Ambalanga – 9.
According to CEPMO Assistant head Engr. Marivic Empizo inspections will continue even after the typhoon for real time and situations on the ground.
For barangays and residents who observe illegal discharge in waterways, CEPMO advised to report this immediately for issuance of Notice of Violation, Sanitary Order and eventual filing of case if found to be violating environmental and health laws. – jgfianza
