03 Aug GSCWD & LGU-GSC Seals Partnership for the City’s Septage Management Program

GSCWD & LGU-GSC Seals Partnership for the City’s Septage Management Program

GSCWD and the Local Government of General Santos City entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to solidify their commitment and partnership agreement on the implementation of the City’s Septage Management Program last March 23, 2018.

As agreed upon, GSCWD shall plan and implement the City Ordinance on a phase-by-phase basis. GSCWD shall also be responsible for the preparation of operation plans and guidelines on desludging septic tanks and wastewater treatment services.

“Since the City and GSCWD do not have the facility for this program yet, GSCWD has initiated to utilize the Septage Treatment facility of Alabel pending the construction of its own facility,” said Project Manager Francisco R. Alolod, Jr., CPA, CESE.

Manager Alolod also added that the agency is hoping to extend its services even to non-customers once its own facility has been realized.

Although mandated to provide safe, potable, reliable and affordable water service to the people of General Santos City, it has also endeavoured to provide effective sanitation services to its respective concessionaires.

“More than being a water service provider, we are also concerned with the unwanted effects of inefficient desludging of septic tanks and improper disposal of wastewater. It does not only affect our environment but even the public health”, said General Manager Engr. Arn Gellangarin.

GM Gellangarin also expressed his confidence in this partnership with the local government which aims to combat environment pollution.

Institutionalized through the enactment of Sangguniang Panlungsod No. 53 series of 2017, otherwise known as The Revised General Santos City Septage Management Ordinance, all existing and future buildings and structures whether public or private, residential, commercial or industrial, institution and establishments whether foreign or local, private or government-owned, found within the municipal waters of the City are required to regularly desludge their septic tanks.

Representing their respective agencies were Hon. Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera for LGU-Gensan and Engr. Manuel Fortunato D. Yaphockun for GSCWD.

By Vivian L. Catalan