Baguio City Camp folks face suits for dumping sewerage, trash in canal

BAGUIO CITY -- Some residents in Purok 6, City Camp Central here may face environmental legal suits for dumping garbage and directly discharging sewer waste into a canal.
    Photos sent by a concerned citizen showed non-biodegradable wastes dumped into the canal “possibly from the residents at the upper part” of the area and the health hazard it poses.
    The City Engineering Office conducted an ocular inspection over the weekend and found evidence of trash throwing or dumping into the canal as well as sewer pipes from residential houses directly discharging into the canal causing a foul stench.
    Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered the Baguio City Police Office to trace the origin of wastes and to identify the households whom he called “environmental saboteurs.”
    In the report of Police Captain Ralph G. Dayag, Police Station 5 located in Legarda, he said the waste materials like plastic bottles and used face masks being thrown at the said canal are believed to be coming from the nearby houses.
    “It was also noticed that the foul odor emanating from the sewer lines connected from the nearby houses is believed to be from the sink and from the comfort rooms,” the report reads.  
    A clean-up drive was conducted by BCPO Legarda Police Station conducted together with City Camp Central barangay officials led by Brgy. Captain Jessie Bandiola on January 28 with members of the 4PS.
    The mayor ordered the City Environment and Parks Management Office to initiate drastic actions against environment saboteurs such as the filing of legal cases for violation of the city’s Environment Code.
    Magalong has been encouraging barangay officials to work closely with their constituents in ensuring cleanliness and orderliness within their areas of jurisdictions. – JMPS