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BY MAE SINGUAY
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Friday, February 17, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Does the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) have an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for its 56 pumping stations (wells)?
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is conducting an investigation.
Its being a government entity does not exempt Baciwa from complying with agency requirements, said Lemuel Soriano, chief of the Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Negros Island Region.
An ECC ensures that a project will not cause significantly negative impact on the environment.
It contains specific measures and conditions that the project proponent must comply with before and during operation.
Soriano clarified that they have not yet issued any cease and desist order against the operation of the pumping stations.
But the agency will be forced to stop the operation of the wells if its investigation finds out Baciwa has not secured ECCs for them, he stressed.
The possibility has fueled fears of a water crisis in the city.
Aside from that, Baciwa will be fined with P50,000 for each illegally operating well, Soriano said.
Meanwhile Rep. Greg Gasataya called the attention of Baciwa general manager Mario Macatangay and advised him to meet with the EMB.
Baciwa must settle the matter as soon as possible to avert a water crisis — a possible consequence of the stoppage of the operation of wells without ECC — he said.
Gasataya said he confirmed with Environment regional director Al Orolfo yesterday that the agency is looking into Baciwa’s wells.
He said the agency told him they are willing to have a technical conference with Baciwa.
Meanwhile Assistant General Manager for Operations Jenelyn Gemora said Baciwa met with the EMB yesterday.
She said their ECC applications were rejected and they are currently amending them, as advised by the Environment department./PN
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