Heavy siltation, poor coral found

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities have found heavy siltation and poor coral conditions in the seabed near the Philippine Mining Service Corporation (PMSC) in the southern town of Alcoy.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Environmental Management Bureau in Region 7 have conducted assessment to the corals, fish biomass, seagrass and the ambient air and water sampling.

In a report of Sugbo News, the Capitol news website, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia met Tuesday with representatives from DENR-7 and EMB-7 after the assessment.

The EMB’s sampling team showed that there were excessive total suspended solids (TSS) in milligrams per liter (mg/L) collected through water samples taken from the three stations of PMSC on October 14 which means there is heavy siltation in the areas assessed.

In station one in Barangay Poblacion, the water samples exceeded the guideline value of 25 mg/L with the results taken from the water sections.

The surface section has 191 mg/L, while 176 mg/L in the middle, and 192 mg/L in the bottom.

TSS is defined as solids in the water that can be trapped by a filter. This can be measured through a pre-weighed filter using the water sample.

Water samples taken from the station two or at the south side of PMSC also showed excessive TSS.

With a guideline value of only 80 mg/L, the water samples exceeded having the TSS of 191 mg/L, 176 mg/L, and 192 mg/L, respectively.

This also manifested in the water samples taken in the station four in Balud-Consolacion in Dalaguete town.

With a guideline value of only 25 mg/L, the samples showed 164 mg/L, 185 mg/L, and 192 mg/L, respectively.

The DENR-7, for their part, showed that coral reefs at the areas are typically patches except portions in the pier area in Poblacion, Alcoy as well as the deeper areas in Balud-Consolacion in Dalaguete.

The assessment results undertaken currently and in 2017 were categorized under poor condition of coral cover as old coral rubbles and high levels of macroalgae are present in both PMSC areas.

Garcia is set to write a letter to DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu regarding the consolidated report of DENR-7 and EMB-7 on the damage the PMSC has caused in the seawaters.

She added that Provincial Board Member John Ismael Borgonia who chairs the PB committee on environment and natural resources will also be furnished a copy of the letter in order for the PB to take necessary action on the matter.

Garcia said this way, they will be properly informing the EMB that the pending renewal of the water discharge permit of PMSC will bear strong opposition from the PB should such renewal would happen. — GMR (FREEMAN)