MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Raffy Tulfo has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into illegal wastewater discharge and improper septic waste disposal across the country.
In filing Senate Resolution 541, Tulfo underscored the need to strengthen the enforcement of the Clean Water Act to ensure protection of public health and the environment.
"Recent reports have raised concerns on the nationwide management of septage waste, including the proper collection, treatment, transport and disposal of septic waste by local government units, water districts and private operators," said Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change.
Tulfo said that Metro Manila alone produces about 2,000 cubic meters of spent solvents, 22,000 tons of heavy metals, infectious wastes, biological sludge, lubricants, intractable wastes, and 25 million cubic meters of acid/alkaline liquid wastes that are improperly disposed of every year.
However, he said that only five percent of the population is connected to sewerage networks and treatment facilities and thus only about 440,000 households are serviced.
