New Pasil Fish Port eyed in SRP

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is now planning to build another Pasil Fish Port following sanitation concerns found in the existing facility.

This is according to Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries, who said in an interview that they are currently lobbying for a proposed area for the new fish port with Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. Initially, they are eyeing a potential site in South Road Properties, which they are now evaluating for feasibility.

She said Archival has positively received the plan but emphasized the need to study its viability, including the possibility of a Public-Private Partnership. Utlang said they came up with the proposal because the current Pasil Fish Port is facing cleanliness issues.

Utlang noted that the first step is for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to inspect the proposed area along with the Bantay Dagat.

It can be recalled that after failing to meet the highest standards of water quality testing, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) called for immediate action toward installing a wastewater treatment facility at the Pasil Fish Market, due to the health risks it poses to the public.

This is according to Engr. Myka Llanos of CCENRO, who said the market was issued a notice of violation by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau back in 2019. The violation was reportedly due to untreated water being directly discharged into the body of water surrounding the market.

Because of this, Llanos said they initiated a plan to build a sewage treatment facility in the area. To ensure the most effective design, Llanos said it is important to first determine the quality of the surrounding water.

In the 2024 test results they conducted, Llanos said the water body in Pasil was found to be polluted. She explained that although four parameters were passed, these were not strong enough indicators that the water is safe.

She also emphasized that the tests were not conducted in just one portion of the water body, but in four different areas, including the drainage system, creek, and the main body of water itself. Of the four tests, she added, the average fecal coliform level was found to be at 27 million MPN/100ml.

These test results, according to Llanos, further highlight the importance of installing a water treatment facility and confirm its urgent necessity. While the CCENRO initially planned to install a wastewater treatment system at the market, Llanos said they now find it necessary to expand its coverage to include the residential areas surrounding the market.

Llanos said they have already prioritized the procurement of the wastewater treatment facility, although she admitted that the procurement process delayed its implementation. She said the process was further hindered during the election ban, which prohibits the use of public funds and resources.

The proposed wastewater treatment facility is estimated to cost around ?95 million and has been requested by CCENRO since 2022. She said the delays were also due to changes in the administration.

If the water body is left untreated, Llanos explained it will pose health risks to the public, especially to consumers. — (FREEMAN)