BAGUIO CITY – The council during the regular session last week expressed support to the city’s program for cleaner environment through the approval of a proposed resolution containing activities and other measures to address water pollution along the Balili River and its tributaries. Said activities shall be implemented through the Balili Task Force, a body purposely created for the endeavor.
The concern cropped up when city residents along Balili River petitioned as to the ill-effects of air, land and water pollution emanating from the creek. The city decided to take steps through the legislation, a proposed resolution authored by Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia.
The motion of the city council primarily approves the task force’s preparation of working base maps, purchase of field water sampling equipments, documentation and verification of buildings and establishments directly disposing untreated sewage into canals and creeks to the main river vein, all for collecting information as to pollution content of the river. The data would be used to gauge the level of pollution, and to take action for the control thereof.
The task force shall also conduct consultations, information and educational campaigns in barangays within the river’s area. The campaign focuses on preventing households from disposing off their garbage in the waterway, which weaves its way through the city to the neighboring town of La Trinidad.
Proposed mini-communal sewage treatment facilities’ septic tanks in barangay cluster shall also act as collection and transfer systems of sewage water to the treatment plant of the city as to the strict implementation of the Sanitary Code and the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004. Other local ordinances and resolutions shall also be pushed for the success of the program. Representatives from the local government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other concerned offices are members of the task force expected to enforce said chores.
The city council shall evaluate and approve other interested groups, non-governmental office or line agencies who wish to be part of the pollution control group.
Approval of the said motion including fund allocation was through the endorsement of the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection headed by Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia.