CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Garcia announced that the long-overdue sewage treatment plant (STP) at the Cebu City Jail will soon break ground to address the complaints of the residents living near the jail facility because of the foul smell.
Residents in the nearby community have long been complaining of the stench from the untreated wastewater the jail discharged directly into the sewer.
Earlier, dismissed Mayor Michael Rama instructed the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) to take action on the complaint but the plan to build a treatment facility failed allegedly due to lack of funding.
Garcia acknowledged that the installation of STP has been a long-standing plan. He promised to get it done now that he is the mayor.
"Councilor pa ko, then I became vice mayor… this project had yet to materialize. Now that I'm the mayor, we are making sure it gets done," Garcia said during the jail's Christmas party.
An STP is designed to treat wastewater by removing contaminants from sewage, making the effluent safe to discharge into the environment or for reuse.
The facility also aims to reduce pollution caused by untreated sewage, ensuring cleaner water systems and improved environmental conditions.
"This has been a long time coming. I understand how essential this project is for the jail and we’re prioritizing it," Garcia added.
Garcia also announced that the city government is working on providing essential services to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) such as giving them maintenance medicine.
The city government is also looking at giving transportation vehicles and laptops to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel. Aside from all the pledges, the city government donated sacks of rice to the facility. — /FPL (FREEMAN)