CPDRC exec: Foul smell not our fault

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) Acting Assistant Jail Warden Gil Macato yesterday denied allegations that foul smell emanating from a Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu  City creek came from human waste thrown by the facility.

In denying it, however, he inadvertently revealed they had been throwing their waste into the Guadalupe River.

"Once again gi-deny namo na kay ang among septic tank …walay leaking, wala tanan. And our septic tank kung naa siya’y overflow, i-treat na siya'g chlorine," he said.

"One thing, ang among septic tank empties into Guadalupe River, not Kalunasan," he added.

Kalunasan residents had complained of nausea and vomiting caused by the smell, which reaches their homes day and night.

Kalunasan Barangay Captain Nunilon Monares Jr. earlier said CPDRC and the Cebu City Jail are certainly to blame for the smell.

He said they suspected that workers from CPDRC and the Cebu City Jail have been releasing some of the contents of their septic tanks into the creek.

"Tungod na gyud na sa kadaghan sa mga inmates diha," he said. "Naa na sila’y binuang nga inig kusog sa uwan, ablihan na nila ilang septic tank para mogawas ang sulod kuyog sa ulan."

Macato, though, said the allegation is untrue and the reports were unverified

"Wala dyud mi ana nagbuhat…  I don't know sa uban facilities diha but di man dyud ta katuo og tsismis, kung wa dyud ta kita," he said.

But with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-7 saying there is a big possibility for the foul smell to have come from CPDRC, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said that they are ready to take measures if that is so.

"The possibility is always there, but it's unfair pud kung ang basolon nalang kay ang CPDRC," he said.

"Kung naa gyuy fault ang CPDRC then we are ready to take measures and clean the waste. Kung unsay recommendation sa EMB we will note and we will follow," he added.

The governor said there are many possibilities, including nearby facilities being the ones that actually threw their waste into the creek, or that the waste actually comes from the homes. (FREEMAN)