MikeLigalig.com

By the Bohol Chronicle

The drainage outfall along Graham Avenue is posing environmental threat as free-flowing water is heavily contaminated with coliform. This was confirmed by a laboratory test conducted by the University of San Carlos - Water Laboratory in Cebu City, a DENR-EMB and DOH-accredited testing center.

In results released last Friday, the USC laboratory test showed “too numerous to count” coliform recorded at more than 2,000 colonies.

The figure alarmed health authorities after Gov. Erico Aumentado asked the Bohol Environment and Management Office (BEMO) to closely monitor the laboratory test which the provincial government commissioned the Cebu-based accredited laboratory.

The other results of the USC laboratory test released last Friday will be read and interpreted by chemical engineers who will be commissioned by BEMO.

This latest came few days after another laboratory test conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) laboratory showed the acidity level to be within the tolerable level at 7.29 while the maximum tolerate is 9. The biochemical oxygen demand was recorded at 35 (standard 150).

However, the total suspended solids recorded was 49 while the standard should not be more than 30.

The laboratory test of DENR is based on the fact that seawater off Tagbilaran Port has not been classified. Class SD is the lowest category, thus the tolerable level is high as compared if the area is under classified zone.

PENRO Nestor Canda said that there is a pending deliberation on the classification of the area which DENR has earlier classified as Class B. This was objected by PROCESS Foundation which evaluates the area to be under Class A.

Lawyer Raul Barbarona, ELAC head, reacted on the results of the DENR test saying that the opening of the drainage outfall should not be permanent as “surely the coliform and other pollutants will increase as the seawaters in the area would be exposed to the water outfall from the city’s drainage.”

“Cutting of the illegal connections remain basic requirement in order to ensure the cleanliness of the water coming out from its outfall,” Barbarona stressed.

It maybe recalled that even DENR Sec. Lito Atienza during his recent visit told DENR authorities here that the outfall might be opened during heavy rains in order to eliminate flooding of city streets.  However, the secretary stressed the outfall should be closed after a temporary opening especially if there are sewerage connections of business establishments along CPG Ave, this city.

The opening of the drainage outfall was ordered by the city mayor even without any coordination meeting among the agencies concerned like the DPWH, DENR as well as with Gov. Aumentado who presided the last coordination meeting.

The city mayor insisted that DPWH will turnover the drainage project to the city before the city assumes responsibility on the project. However, even before the governor could effect such request of the mayor, the outfall was suddenly opened.

The opening of the outfall stopped the flooding along CPG North Avenue. However, the basic concern for the construction of a water treatment facility has not been attended to by the city government as it is still under consultation level.

DPWH Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan said the city drainage project was done after the city mayor committed to construct simultaneously with the project the water treatment facility.

However, two years passed, no water treatment plant has been constructed by the city government. And amid pronouncements to construct water treatment facility, the issue of cutting the illegal connections first before opening the drainage outfall was raised, to ensure that the flushed out water will not pollute Tagbilaran bay.

At the bay sprawls the City Port considered as the “first tourist port by the Philippine Ports Autority.”

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