Household wastes are top source of water pollution

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources stressed on the importance of the role of local government units in controlling household wastes which have been found out as the main cause of pollution in rivers and seas.

Eddie Llamedo, information officer of DENR-7, said that 80 to 90 percent of water pollution is due to household wastes and only about 20 percent come from the industries.

“Gamay ra nga percentage ang industrial waste this is because they have a task force to monitor these violations and the penalties are high,” said Llamedo during the Cebu Media Forum yesterday.

Llamedo said that the local government units, especially at the barangay level, have a big role to play in minimizing this kind of pollution.

“The barangay especially has a big role to play by reporting to DENR those who are violating Republic Act 9275,” said Llamedo.

 Rene Mercado, chairman of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District said that aside from ensuring that potable water is provided to their customers, they also have to make sure that their aquifer is free from any contamination.

Mercado said that as a protocol, subdivisions must not be given a site development permit without proper coordination with MCWD.

“Di ka pwede pataka og kalot sa yuta without applying water rights kay kuyaw og ma-contaminated na sa hugaw nga gikan sa septic tank,” Mercado said.

Llamedo added that by 2010, under RA 9275, all resorts, hotels, subdivision units and other business establishments are mandated to connect to a sewerage pipe.

“But only 20 percent are compliant due to limitations to sewerage network itself,” Llamedo said.

The Sewerage and Septage Management Program seeks to improve water quality and public health in the Philippines by 2020 by improving the ability of local implementations to build and operate effective waste water treatment facilities.

Llamedo said that a Program Operations Manual was crafted by the Department of Public Works and Highways to provide guidelines for the Highly Urbanized Cities  in developing sewerage and septage management systems.

According to the manual, Llamedo said, more than 20 million Filipinos have no access to proper sanitation and only less than 10 percent of the population is actually connected to a sewerage pipe. —ATO  (FREEMAN)