CENRO personnel intercept trucks used in illegal siphoning of septic wastes. Contributed photo
ANGELES CITY – A composite team led by the city environment and natural resources office (CENRO) apprehended eight persons and impounded two trucks used in the illegal siphoning of sewage at the Marquee Mall here on Jan. 21 and illegally disposing it at the nearby Cutud Creek.
In his report to the sangguniang panlungsod on Jan. 24, CENRO chief Archimedes M. Lazatin identified the siphoning service providers as Bulacan-based JRRX Plumbing and Vintaan Plumbing Services.
Lazatin said they received an anonymous text message informing them that illegal siphoning of septic wastes was going on at Marquee Mall. They conducted an operation with a composite monitoring, inspection and enforcement team composed of the Angeles City Police Office Station 2 on Jan. 21 and at 9 p.m. were able to apprehend the violators.
They were charged for violation of City Ordinance Nos. 596 and 565. Lazatin said the drivers of the trucks admitted that the septic wastes collected were discharged and disposed at the Cutud Creek.
Lazatin said JRRX was already apprehended earlier in 2019 at Bulacan Street Mountain View Subdivision and in 2021 at Hadrian Street also in the same subdivision and again on Jan. 24.
It was learned that the sewerage treatment plant contractor of Marquee Mall is Manila Water Joint Services which is in charge of maintaining it.
Lazatin said what was deplorable was the fact that the septic wastes were disposed at the Cutud Creek.
The impounded trucks could not be easily ascertained as septic wastes collector because they look like ordinary delivery trucks which were fully covered. But upon closer inspection and once the truck doors were opened, it was discovered that they were equipped with pump motors and industrial hoses and large receptacles for septic wastes.
Marquee Mall management cannot be reached for comment as of posting time.
