The DENR is now looking into the contamination of inorganic waste to the Goyong River in Cebu.
When the water of Goyong River in Cebu turned "milky white" last August 21, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) immediately undertook toxicity tests and investigating the harm on the irrigation system caused by improper waste disposal.
On DENR’s website, EMB Director William P. Cuñado said DENR-Region 7 is already “coordinating with the concerned individuals and authorities to make sure that the substance discharged to the river is removed.”
“We are waiting for the results of the tests conducted by EMB-Region 7 to determine the contents of the discharge in the Goyong River. In the meantime, we will also be talking with local government authorities to make sure that this will not happen again,” Cuñado said.
Goyong River located at Brgy. Don Gregorio Antigua in Borbon town is mainly used for irrigation. About 80 households are living near the river.
Initial investigation showed that barangay officials identified a certain Elmer Pogado Degamo, a trucking firm worker who allegedly dumped the contaminated wastewater and oil used in washing a flexible tank into the river.
The local officials noted that the flexible tank is owned by the trucking firm where Degamo works.
In the EMB-Region 7’s preliminary assessment the agency said that “there were no traces of affected life forms such as dead plants or animals.”
However, to make sure that the improper trash disposal activity does not have a negative impact on the surrounding environment, it will continue to monitor the river for an additional week.
While the EMB collected samples a day after the incident, the municipal government of Borbon collected a water sample immediately after it was reported that a white material was seen in the river.
The municipal government of Borbon tested water samples, and the findings confirmed that the chemical oxygen demand (COD) level had increased to 347 milligrams per liter (mg/L), indicating "contamination of inorganic waste."
“If proven that the discharged substance is hazardous or toxic, the responsible entity or person shall be charged for violating Section 27 of Republic Act (RA) No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, which prohibits such acts as discharging, depositing or causing to be deposited material of any kind directly or indirectly into the water bodies or along margins of any surface water,” the EMB said.
Under RA 6969 transporting, dumping or discharging of prohibited chemicals, substances or pollutants listed therein ortheToxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act of 1990 along with discharging regulated water pollutants without the valid required discharge permit, are all punishable.
Violators will be penalized with ₱10,000 but not more than ₱200,000 for every day of violation upon the recommendation of the Pollution Adjudication Board
Tags: #DENR, #toxicwastes, #RA9725