By MONTESA GRINO-CAOYONAN

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) is now strictly monitoring 110 businesses out of 166 establishments in the city that are discharging their wastewater directly to the Iloilo-Batiano river.

The 110 companies are apart from the 38 establishments that were already issued discharge permits and 18 establishments that have been endorsed to the city government for cancellation of their business permits.

Of the 110, 48 are now processing their permits, 14 committed to apply for discharge permit, 38 were issued notices of violation and 10 lapsed commitments for notice of violations.

According to Engr. Samuel Guillergan, chief of EMB's Pollution Control Division, these establishments are composed of restaurants, institutions, hotels, and car wash stations that failed to apply for discharge permits. These establishments discharge less than 30 cubic meters wastewater per day.

Guillergan said those establishments with pending notices were advised to meet the wastewater treatment standard or else their permits will be suspended. He added that they have been asking firms and hospitals to install wastewater treatment facilities in compliance with the Clean Water Act.

The official noted that discharge permits of these establishments are renewable every year. Failure to comply with the requirements will cost more than P10,000 in penalties per day.

Aside from these establishments, there are 300 tons of discharges that are released daily directly to the Iloilo River by 21 coastal barangays.

COLIFORM

Guillergan said there is a reduction of coliform level in the river as of February after the illegal fishpens were removed.

"By clearing our river of illegal structures, the flow of the water and its quality improved," he said during yesterday's Iloilo River Development Council (IRDC) meeting at the Hotel Del Rio, Iloilo City.

As of this month, 130 illegal fishpens were already removed from the Iloilo-Batiano River.

Displaced fishpen owners were given livelihood assistance through the joint effort of Ilonggo Senator Franklin Drilon and the Iloilo City Government with the adoption of the SEA-K concept of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).*