Funds to improve sewage treatment plant sought

Cebu City Hall’s Septage Management Board (SMB) is asking for a P5-million budget to improve its Septage Treatment Plant (STP) in the North Reclamation Area.

They proposed that the amount be taken from the approved budget of the city’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF).

“The DVMF has a P5 million allocation that could be used for wastewater treatment which could be optimized by re-aligning it for use by CCSMB to improve the current set-up that will allow it to treat wastewater,” read a resolution passed by the SMB.

The wastewater comes from the nearby city-owned slaughterhouse which is operated by the DVMF. The resolution was addressed to the Cebu City Council and the mayor’s office. The city’s sewage treatment plant, which they received through its sister city ties with Yokohama City in Japan, only treats septic wastes from private septic haulers within City Hall for a certain fee.

The board said DVMF chief Dr. Pilar Romero earlier wrote to Mayor Michael Rama proposing to improve the city’s sewage plant rather than putting up a new facility since they plan to transfer the slaughterhouse within a few years.

During last week’s council session, the budget and finance committee submitted a committee report stating that the SMB should first secure approval from the DVMF and Mayor Rama on their request.