In a pressing appeal, the Cebu Electricity Rights Advocates (Cera) have urged local government and utility providers to implement an integrated infrastructure strategy. This move aims to ensure the safety of water from the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and resolve persistent sanitation problems in Pasil and the South Road Properties (SRP).
Sanitation Crisis at Pasil Fish Port
According to Cera, poor waste management at the Pasil Fish Port continues to endanger public health and the environment. Even during major international events like the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in 2026, large tarpaulins were used to cover floating waste and pollution. However, Cera Convenor Nathaniel Chua emphasized that this is insufficient. "While these boards hide the sight of waste, they do nothing to address foul odors, bacterial contamination, or underlying sanitation problems," he stated.
Power Reliability for Water Safety
The group highlighted that in January 2026, the ASEAN Special Senior Officials Meeting on Energy stressed the importance of "system reliability" and called on distribution utilities to provide non-interruptible power lines to critical facilities such as MCWD pumping stations. Cera explained that a strong and uninterrupted power supply is key to maintaining proper water pressure and preventing contamination from entering water lines.
Proposed Solutions for Improvement
Cera has suggested several measures to tackle these issues:
- Utilize funds from the 2026 budget of the Department of Agriculture–Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) to construct a modern fish port facility with robust sanitation systems and dedicated waste management.
- Relocate the "Bagsakan" wholesale hub to the SRP Mambaling Flyover to address mismanagement at Pasil Fish Port and improve fee collection and sanitation enforcement.
Contamination Risks and Public Health
Reports indicate that some vendors use seawater to clean fish, even when contaminated. With no wastewater treatment facility at Pasil Fish Port, dirty residues directly enter the sea, raising fecal coliform levels. If pumping pressure decreases, contaminants could potentially infiltrate water pipelines.
Call to Action for Utilities
In response, Cera has called on the Visayan Electric Company (Veco) and MCWD to collaborate on installing non-interruptible power lines at pumping stations. This step is crucial to protect water supply and public health in Cebu.
