Leonila Hill residents called out for wastewater discharge

Twelve households along Evangelista St. Leonila Hill were issued notices of violation because of overflowing or damaged drainage lines in violation of the city’s Environment Code and other sanitation laws.
Residents brought to the attention of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) the foul smelling water coming from the drainage of one house and draining into the street causing discomfort and nuisance.
“Upon inspection, we’ve also discovered that there are other violations being committed by other houses where their drainage ends up onto the road,” POSD head enforcer Daryll Longid reported.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong called for immediate inspection of the area and issuance of the notices of violation.
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo) under Atty. Rhenan Diwas and Engr. Marivic Empizo said the Environment Management Division led by Engr. Sofronio Pascua inspected the area and found 12 households with violations.
Just last week, the mayor issued a warning to residents discharging excrement, septic tank waste materials and wastewater into the river and other waterways.
The mayor said the Baguio City Police Office under Col. Francisco Bulwayan, Jr. had been tasked to investigate, monitor, and apprehend violators.
The Cepmo said 370 households and establishments had been caught illegally discharging wastewater and other discards like grease and used oil into the city’s waterways in 2022.
Violators included households and establishments with leaking or overflowing septic tanks. Others were illegal piggeries directly discharging wastewater to the sewer or canals and establishments that dump grease and used oil into the sewer.
Diwas said these are all in violation of the city’s Environment Code, Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, RA 9275 or the Philippine Water Act, and RA 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations.
Dumping of grease and used oil in the city’s storm drains, meanwhile, constitutes violation of RA 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990. – Aileen P. Refuerzo