SP approves report on prefeasibility study for water and waste mng't project

By Elaine O. Ratunil

Wednesday 1st of August 2012

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug 1 -- The city council approved on second and final reading the inception report of the prefeasibility study for wastewater, watershed and solid waste management in Cagayan de Oro.

This approval was set during its regular session this morning, July 31, presided over by Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas.

The proposed project seeks to address environmental concerns such as the water pollution of the Cagayan de Oro River due to the absence of a sanitary sewerage and efficient drainage system, and inefficient and unsustainable solid waste management. This is part of the technical assistance provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the implementation of its Cities Development Initiative for Asia of which Cagayan de Oro is a beneficiary.

A project steering committee was created in the city for the purpose. It provides guidance and oversight to all activities; it shall review and monitor the progress and performance of the assignment activities; ensure that activities optimize the benefit of the stakeholders and participating organizations and liaise with key stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation and to ensure integration between proposed interventions in the priority sectors.

The steering committee is chaired by Councilor Emmanuel Abejuela, chair of the committee on public works with Councilor President Elipe, chair of the committee on environment as co-chair.

Members are city administrator Leon Du M. Gan, Jr; city planning coordinator Isidro Borja; consultant Estrella Sagaral; City Local Environment and Natural Resources officer-designate Virginia Deguinion; city engineer-designate Mario Batar; Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce president Ma. Teresa Alegrio; Cagayan de Oro Citizen’s Commission’s Nimfa Albania; Ruben Vegafria of Promote CDO Foundation and Engr. Rachel Beja of the Cagayan de Oro Water District. (Lorebeth C. Requiroso/CdeOSP/PIA10)