Gabuya bats for wastewater basin in carwash shops

CEBU, Philippines — A proposed ordinance requiring carwash establishments and gasoline stations with carwash services in Cebu City to construct catch basin for their runoff or wastewater was lobbied before the City Council.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., author of the measure, said most of the existing carwash establishments do not have a settling basin for wastewater.

The provisions of the measure were tackled during yesterday’s public hearing at the Cebu City Session Hall.

Based on the proposed ordinance, carwash establishments are required to provide a settling basin with dimensions of one meter by one meter and a depth of half meter from the insert level of the overflow pipes onwards the existing drainage system.

It added that no basin shall be constructed without first securing the excavation permit from the city’s Department of Engineering and Public Works.

However, there were no representatives from the carwash industry. The only speaker present was Raquel Arce, head of the city’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, Enhancement (PROBE) team.

The council has yet to get the list of all registered carwash shops from the barangays and the city’s Business Licensing Office.

City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the owners of carwash shops will be invited to another public hearing once the council gets the list.

On the other hand, Arce said her office supports the proposed ordinance.

“This promotes the general welfare of the public,” she said.

Arce disclosed that there are carwash shops operating without permits.

“Unlicensed and undocumented shops are occupying the city sidewalks and side streets,” she told the council.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama, the council’s presiding officer, echoed Arce’s statement.

He said these carwash shops are causing increased traffic jams because they are occupying the sidewalks and streets.

“We know they are doing business, but it doesn’t mean they will take the law into their own hands,” the vice mayor said.  KQD (FREEMAN)