City Hall not compliant with Clean Water Act

NINE years after its passage, the Cebu City government had yet to fully comply with the provisions of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, an environment official said yesterday.

“I don’t want to say it’s non compliance. But instead, we’re getting there,” Engr. Cindelyn Pepito, environmental management specialist of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

Councilor Nida Cabrera, who chairs the environment committee, refiled her ordinance creating a septage management program for Cebu City.

“Under the ordinance, the city will be partnering with a private company in developing a septage management program in the city. But this still needs council approval,” Cabrera said.

The Clean Water Act also allows local government to raise funds to subsidize the operation and maintenance of sewerage treatment or septage facility in their area through property taxes and enforcement of a service fee system. Correspondent John Santino Bunachita