Restaurants, eateries warned vs. dumping used oil into waterways

The City Environment and Parks Management Office has warned food establishments against dumping grease and used oil in the city’s canals and waterways or face penalties for violating Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.

The city has been receiving reports of restaurants and eateries discreetly disposing grease into the city’s storm drains prompting Mayor Benjamin Magalong to order an investigation.

The presence of grease deposits in  drainage pipes is one of the determined causes of clogging of the water passageways that lead to flooding of streets.

Cooking oil deposits mixed with water, soil and waste materials solidify and form a compacted blockage that is difficult to dislodge.

After the flooding incident at Session Road due to the sudden heavy downpour last Oct. 9, the CEPMO inspected two food chains along Session Road to check on the disposal of their used oil and determine if this contributed to the clogging of the drainage along the road.

CEPM Officer Atty. Rhenan Diwas said they required the establishments to submit DENR pollution control documents to verify compliance with hazardous waste disposal and ensure that they are not disposing in the storm drains.

They have also been reminded of the proper ways of handling grease and food wastes in accordance with the guidelines of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

Said waste is to be collected and treated by the DENR’s accredited contractor subject to permits to be issued by DENR Environment Management Bureau pursuant to RA 6969.

The city will also undertake other measures to catch those resorting to this illegal practice. – Aileen P. Refuerzo