School, Lucnab folks hit resto sewerage; urge city government action

Human waste dumped at forest reservation 

BAGUIO CITY – Residents of Barangay Lucnab here appealed to Mayor Benjamin Magalong and the City Council to address their complaint filed with the City Environment and Parks Management Office about a restaurant here at Barangay Outlook Drive, which had reportedly been dumping human waste from their septic tanks through a pipeline they installed and still discharging the waste at a government forest reservation beside a school below at Purok 4, Lucnab around 200 meters below said restaurant.
    As of Friday, the foul odor was strong at the school compound even as classes had started.
    Staff, teachers and students said the smell was unbearable making them on the verge of vomiting.
    Complainants also urged health authorities to address the issue.
    The Disciples for Christ Independent School sent a complaint letter dated Jan. 3 addressed to lawyer Renan G. Diwas, chief of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMPO), but to date the matter has reportedly not been acted upon.
    “We would like to bring to your attention and your Good Office this urgent matter of the Lemon and Olives Greek Taverna Restaurant located at 26, Outlook Drive, Baguio City which had been dumping their human waste until now, from their septic tanks through a pipeline they have installed and discharging the waste very near our school below at Purok 4, Barangay Lucnab below the said restaurant, said the letter signed by Rev. Regino M. Valdez, DFCIS board president.
    “The seepage smell is so stinky that our staff had to transfer to another building below the area to work. Teachers could barely concentrate in teaching as a result, while the schoolchildren and staff have been complaining. The seepage is flowing down the canal which is also affecting residents and farmers below our school. We have footages of the pipeline up to the said restaurant for your perusal. 
    “We would like to request your Good Office to immediately address the problem and have the septic tank pipeline removed immediately considering start of classes this week to prevent children and people getting sick and for them to resume their normal activities after the Yuletide Season without the air, water and land pollution.
    “This, considering that one of the main programs of the City Government is addressing environmental degradation,” the letter said.
    Copies of the letter was also given to Jerry M. Esteban and Michael Arnaiz, Lucban and Outlook Drive barangay chiefs respectively.
    Another letter complaint made by Lucnab folks was also reportedly given to the CEPMO by Lucnab barangay officials regarding the problem last week, saying their water source was polluted by said septic tank seepage.
    The seepage pipeline installed by restaurant or building staff reportedly passed through residential properties including a government forest reservation, but when owners complained, restaurant owners reportedly added more pipes until it reached the creek within the forest reservation beside the school.
    At the end of the pipeline is an underground tunnel wherein water and seepage flows down to farms below.
    Diwas, when messaged for comment regarding the matter Thursday by the Northern Philippine Times, texted he was in a meeting saying he will call later.
    He did not call even until press time Friday night. – By Alfred Dizon