The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) is taking steps to reverse the damage brought about by the improper waste disposal on Goyong River in Cebu after its water turned milky white on Aug. 21.
Director William Cuñado said DENR-Region 7 is “coordinating with the concerned individuals and authorities to make sure that the substance discharged to the river is removed.”
“We are waiting for the results of the tests conducted by EMB-Region 7 to determine the contents of the discharge in the Goyong River. In the meantime, we will also be talking with local government authorities to make sure that this will not happen again,” he added.
Goyong River located in Barangay Don Gregorio Antigua in Borbon town is mainly used for irrigation.
About 80 households are living near the river.
Based on the initial investigation, barangay officials identified a certain Elmer Pogado Degamo who allegedly dumped the contaminated water and oil that was used to wash a flexible tank into the river.
The local officials said the trucking company, where Degamo is employed, owner the flexible tank.
According to EMB-Region 7’s preliminary assessment, “there were no traces of affected life forms, such as dead plants or animals.”