The Davao City Health Office (CHO) revealed on Wednesday that the majority of residents in the coastal communities of Davao City lack septic tanks, with human waste often being disposed of directly into the sewerage system.
“Halos tanan nagpuyo sa coastal area walay septic tank. Sa tinuod lang, ang uban derecho sa canal (human wastes),” CHO Sanitation Inspector III Noli Jimeno stated during an interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR).
Jimeno urged Dabawenyos, particularly those residing in coastal areas, to install septic tanks in their homes to prevent the contamination of seawater by bacteria such as E. coli and Enterococci, which pose significant health risks.
“Ginahangyo sila nga magbutang ug septic tank sa ilang panimalay aron ma-prevent ang pagkalap sa sakit. Mao na unta tinabangay ang mga lumulupyo para maiwasan ang sakit sama sa diarrhea ug para ang tubig nga mainum nato sa Davao City limpyo pud,” Jimeno explained.
He also called on barangays to assist in monitoring waste management practices within coastal communities.
To address these issues, the city government of Davao has partnered with the Davao City Water District (DCWD) for the implementation of the Septage Management Program (SMP). This initiative aims to combat rising fecal coliform levels in the city’s water sources and to provide safer means of disposing of septage, protecting both public health and the environment.
Last month, a forum was conducted in Brgy. Daliao in Toril to raise awareness about the Davao City Septage Management Program. The discussion focused on the provisions of the city’s Septage and Sewerage Management Ordinance, which requires Dabawenyos to have sanitary tanks that adhere to the three-chamber standard and are routinely dislodged.
During the forum, DCWD introduced its forthcoming Sanitation Service, which will support compliance with the ordinance. Once operational, the first-ever government-owned Septage Treatment Plant will ensure convenient, reliable, and regular desludging of septage from households and establishments. The collected waste will then be treated and properly disposed of.
To date, the city government and DCWD have conducted awareness forums on SMP across 81 barangays in Davao City.
