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[av_heading heading=’ SP OKs septage mgt ordinance ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Friday, August 18, 2017
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ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has approved an ordinance establishing a septage management program for the city.
Having a septage management system is mandated by the Clean Water Act of 2004 (Republic Act 9275), said ordinance author Councilor R Leone Gerochi.
Under the ordinance, residences, businesses and institutions must have septic tanks.
“Improperly disposed and untreated septage waste adversely affects health. It spreads diseases, makes water unfit for human consumption and other uses, contaminates groundwater, and threatens biodiversity, thereby reducing the quality of life of citizens,” explained Gerochi.
He also cited Section 7 of the Clean Water Act (RA 9275) which provides, among others, that each local government may raise funds to subsidize necessary expenses for the operation and maintenance of sewage or septage treatment facilities servicing through local property taxes and enforcement of a service fee system.
Councilor Joshua Alim, however, expressed objection to a provision of the ordinance.
“Penahan ang mga imol kay wala sila septic tank? I really have to object,” said Alim.
There should be an inventory first of how many residential houses do not have septic tanks, he suggested.
Alim said Councilor Reyland Hervias already took cognizant of the need to conduct a septic tank survey.
Even the City Health Office does not have the figures.
“I-account ta anay. I-settle ta na una because ining ordinance nagtuhaw lang because sang business establishments nga ang ila septic waste nagalab-ot sa drainage,” said Alim.
He also opposed the imposition of a user’s fee to fund the city’s septage management program.
Gerochi said the ordinance addresses the problem.
“Because napasar na ang ordinansa pwede na ma-mobilize ang mga barangay officials para mag-inventory kag mabal-an naton ano ang kinahanglanon. Pila ka pumoluyo ang ara dira, ano ang solusyon sa problema nila nga wala sila septic tanks,” said Gerochi.
Under the ordinance, liquid and/or solid waste materials from septic tanks shall be removed and transferred by a duly-accredited hauler/pumper to a duly-accredited treatment facility following the Department of Health guidelines and other government regulations on desludging and transport of sludge, except those that are operating under the authority and supervision of the Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
No septage hauler/pumper shall unload or dispose untreated septage in any other place except through accredited septage treatment facilities including, but not limited to bodies of water, agricultural fields and the drainage system within the city.
Haulers and pumpers operating within the city should also secure business permit and accreditation from the City Septage Management Authority (CSMA).
Meanwhile, all domestic septage must be processed and treated before disposal in strict conformance with DOH’s rules and regulations.
All septage facilities, including treatment and disposal facilities and septage truck
yards must also maintain hygienic and safe work environment.
VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
The CSMA shall issue a notice of non-conformity to property owners, administrators or occupants who do not have septic tanks, or whose septic tanks are not designed properly or are inaccessible, for desludging unless they have an alternative system approved by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).
The owner of a non-complying establishment or household shall, after proper court proceedings, be subjected to penalties, as follows:
- first time offenders – fine of P5,000
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subsequent violations – fine of P5,000 and imprisonment of not less than one day or more than one year, at the discretion of the court, plus cancellation of business permits for commercial establishments./PN
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