Cebu City’s local government has embarked on a PHP42-million initiative to construct a wastewater treatment facility at the Cebu City Jail in Barangay Kalunasan. The project, which broke ground on February 13, 2025, aims to eliminate the persistent foul odor that has plagued both inmates and nearby residents for years. Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, who officiated the groundbreaking, expressed optimism that the new facility would effectively manage the volume of wastewater and lead to an odor-free environment in Kalunasan. The project is slated for completion within 510 days. The mayor highlighted that complaints about the odor, which began over five years ago, prompted the city to take action. In 2018, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office received formal complaints about the health and environmental hazards posed by the untreated wastewater. Chief Supt. Neil Avisado, head of the city jail, expressed gratitude for the project, emphasizing its importance for the health and dignity of the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) and the surrounding community. The facility is expected to improve sanitation, reduce health risks, and enhance the sewerage system’s efficiency. Additionally, the city government provided an ambulance to the jail for emergency health services.
