Desilting Lusaran River in Cebu City has begun to help improve water flow and supply for Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD).
However, recent findings by Engr. Mary Ann Bueno from of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) have revealed violations by JE Hydro Plant and Bio-Energy Corporation located along the said river and within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL).
According to Bueno, the company violated Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) condition numbers 9 and 34. These violations include the construction of an additional lagoon and a rock embankment across the river, both of which were not part of the approved Site Development Plan (SDP) in the ECC.
Additionally, the company expanded the project area without undertaking another Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or securing an amended ECC.
These violations were reported to Gov. Gwen Garcia during a meeting at the Capitol on May 23 attended by officials of MCWD headed by general manager Edgar Donoso and officials of JE Hydro Plant and Bio-Energy Corporation.
The construction of the additional lagoon, which can hold up to 200,000 cubic meters of water, has had negative impact on the downstream flow of the Lusaran River. This, in turn, has affected the water supply to barangays in the municipalities of Asturias and Balamban.
“This is not an ordinary kind of thing: this is a crisis. It is critical. I have already declared a state of calamity, so be ware,” the governor said.
She has called for a thorough inspection of the hydro plant by EMB, the Provincial Engineering Water District, and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) to address promptly the concerns.
The governor stressed the importance of resolving the issue to ensure the continuous and sustainable water supply to the affected areas. It is crucial that all parties involved work together to find solutions that will not only comply with environmental regulations but also benefit the communities that rely on Lusaran River for their water needs. | MARM
