Proposed sewerage treatment plant project to cause traffic – Cabanlas

Councilor Edgar Cabanlas voiced his concerns, during the 20th Council regular Monday session presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, on the potential disruptions and logistical challenges of the proposed Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) project in Barangay Bonbon.

The construction of connecting pipelines from every establishment or house to sewerage treatment plant, according to him, would cause a major problem in the city’s orderliness, specifically road traffic.

"I can only imagine the chaos and traffic if we will be excavating (to connect) all houses, industries, factories to a point pipe going to Bonbon," he stated.

The councilor also wanted to be enlightened on the difference between sewerage and septage as it may be a common confusion among many residents.

Engr. Cuenca explained, “Ang septage katong naa sulod sa atong septic tank. Dili na siya kinahanglan tubohan para dad-on sa STP. Suyopon (na) … og truck, (dayun) i-deliver sa planta.”

“Ang sewerage katong atong mga hinugasan sa atong lababo. Dapat dili makaadto sa dagat or suba. Mupaingon (dapat) siya sa planta (sa water treatment arun paggawas niya, limpyo na as Class-A water,” he added.

When further asked if the project would require all homeowners to prepare two pipes connecting to the mainline, Engr. Cuenca responded, “Isa lang ang meter; katong sa water district. And the basis of the computation (for wastewater treatment) is the water consumption.”

Cabanlas, however, questioned the proposed ₱21 per cubic meter fee for wastewater management based on the project feasibility study (FS) commissioned by the DPWH.

“Pwede ₱10 lang?" he asked.

Engr. Cuenca responded, “Kanang ₱21, naa na sa FS pero mahal kaayo na. Ang gahom (nga mu-determine sa wastewater treatment fee) naa sa City Council. Naa ra gyud sa inyo ang tanan. Kami mag-agad rami sa inyo.”

He added that the City TWG for the project is contemplating on revising the FS recommendation to make it more affordable.  Instead of excavating and laying out new sewerage pipes, they plan to use the existing drainage system of the City,  and siphon with a pump all wastewater from drainage collection points to the STP, Cuenca said.