CPDRC starts dislodging facility’s septic tanks

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) has started dislodging its septic tanks, in response to complaints by residents in the lower sitios on the foul odor reportedly coming from the facility.

In an interview, CPDRC Warden Reynaldo Valmoria said that the dislodging operations had started last November 28. Currently, the CPDRC has five septic tanks and one sewage chamber.

"Mga 90 cubic meters na ang na-dispose, so naabot ug mga P300,000 kapin," he said.

CPDRC has spent a total of P361,000 in the first three days of operations. The facility is paying P18,000 per six cubic meters from the Cebu City's septic trucks that hold about eighteen to twenty cubic meters each.

Valmoria stressed that this dislodging operation is but an initial step. They plan to implement dislodging operations weekly and eventually have the septic tanks treated.

"Ug dili mag-treatment, forever na ni nga gasto," Valmoria explained.

Residents in Barangays Kalunasan and Barangay Guadalupe had earlier voiced out their complaints of the stench coming from CPDRC back in July of this year.

Valmoria said that they are projecting a total cost of P600,000 for the initial dislodging operations.

He added that he is confident that Governor Gwen Garcia will approve of the budget, since it concerns the health of residents in the neighboring barangays.

He said the CPDRC is planning to utilize services from Bonie and Jane Septic Tank Services as their rates are lower than that of Cebu City.

Six cubic meters will only cost CPDRC P3,000 for the services from Bonie and Jane's company. (FREEMAN)