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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COA reminds LGUs on septage management system to assure better water quality

COA reminds LGUs on septage management system to assure better water quality

Published Aug 12, 2024 05:32 am

The Commission on Audit (COA) has reminded local government units (LGUs) to implement their septage management systems mandated under Republic Act No. 9275, the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, to assure their constitutents of better water quality.

The COA said that RA 9275 mandates all LGUs to set up a Septage Management Program (SMP) by enacting an ordinance.

It explained that SMP will address the reduction of pollution from wastewater by maintaining the treatment effectiveness of the septic tank, the most common and predominant treatment facility for human excreta and wastewater from toilets of residences and buildings.

The reminder was contained in its 2023 audit report on the town of Midsayap in Cotabato.

The COA said that upon review of the Midsayap town's documents, the audit team learned that the municipality is still in the process of adopting the required compliance on the preparation of the SMP in its area or jurisdiction.

"Unfortunately, the LGU continues to find it difficult to develop sanitation projects with local resources, given their limited capacity and competing demands for limited funds," COA's report stated.

While the municipality has an ongoing negotiation with a Public Private Partnership for the construction of the septage treatment facility, the audit team has recommended that Midsayap coordinate with the Water District, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environment and Management Bureau (EMB), Department of Health (DOH), and other stakeholders to fast-track the preparation and implementation of the SMP, the report also stated..

"This could include generating additional fund sources, possibly by enacting ordinances to adjust local property taxes or imposing a service fee system to meet the necessary expenses for its proper implementation," the report added.

The COA said: "Moreover, we recommended and the management agreed to ensure that the concerned employees attend regular training and capacity-building programs to stay informed about best practices and innovations in water management."

Related Tags

Annual audit report Cotabato Audit reports midsayap Midsayap Commission on Audit (COA) Commission on Audit
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