FOR years, residents near the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan have endured the unbearable stench of human waste. The odor, they said, was inescapable, seeping into their homes, clinging to their clothes, and making daily life uncomfortable.

Even churchgoers in nearby areas had complained that the foul smell reached their places of worship.

Some residents raised their concerns with the city government multiple times, but nothing concrete was done, until now.

Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia led the groundbreaking ceremony for the long-awaited P42.3-million wastewater treatment facility on Thursday, February 13.

The project, set to be completed in 510 calendar days, aims to put an end to years of neglect that allowed raw sewage from the jail to flow untreated into surrounding areas, affecting thousands of households.

The facility, once operational, will process human waste from the jail’s dormitories, home to around 5,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), before releasing treated water into rivers and canals.

In an interview, Garcia believes the project will significantly improve sanitation in Kalunasan and neighboring Barangay Guadalupe, both of which have suffered from the environmental impact of the jail’s lack of a wastewater system.

Garcia said the issue had been a long-standing problem that previous administrations failed to address despite repeated complaints from residents.

He recalled that when he was still a city councilor, the matter was brought up in multiple committees, but no real action was taken.

Now that he is mayor, he said he made sure the project would finally push through.

Residents of Kalunasan have long voiced their frustration over the unsanitary conditions. Some said the smell was strongest in the early morning and late at night, making it difficult to sleep.

Others reported that during heavy rains, wastewater overflowed from the jail’s drainage, raising fears of contamination.

Churchgoers from Langub Shrine also complained that the stench often reached their gatherings, making worship services uncomfortable.

He said even local officials, including former City Legal Officer Atty. Eugene Orbita Orbita, had raised the issue in past administrations, but no concrete action was taken.

Garcia declined to comment on why the project had been delayed for so long under previous leaderships, stating that his focus was on finally resolving the issue rather than looking back.

However, he acknowledged the frustration of residents who had been waiting years for the city to act.

Beyond the wastewater treatment facility, city officials are also working on improving conditions inside the jail.

Garcia noted that the facility lacked a dedicated ambulance for emergencies, forcing PDLs in need of urgent medical care to wait for an ambulance from the city.

He said the city government had now provided an exclusive ambulance for the jail, ensuring quicker response times for medical emergencies.

He also highlighted the importance of rehabilitation efforts for inmates, saying that keeping them confined in their cells without productive activities was not ideal.

The city government has started providing sports equipment to encourage recreational activities, which he believes will help PDLs reintegrate into society once they are released.

To ensure that the wastewater project meets its deadline, Garcia warned that the contractor is bound by strict penalties. If the project is delayed, the city has the option to terminate the contract or impose financial deductions.

He expressed optimism that construction could be completed in less than the 510-day contract period.

Ronalyn, 40, who declined to give her full name, said they had been enduring the foul smell in Barangay Kalunasan.

She expressed gratitude that the issue has been resolved, allowing them to live without the unpleasant odor.

Meanwhile, a person deprived of liberty interviewed by the media acknowledged long-standing sanitation issues, particularly in human waste disposal. While he admitted that conditions inside were difficult, he said those who suffered more were the communities living outside.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Barangay Kalunasan
• #Wastewater Treatment Facility
• #Cebu City Jail,