SAN FERNANDO CITY — Mayor Pablo Ortega led the opening of a septage treatment plant that was started two years ago with US Ambassador Harry Thomas himself attending in 2008 the groundbreaking of the sanitation project.
 
The plant is a joint effort of the city government, USAID-Philippine Sanitation Alliance, Rotary International, Rotary Club of San Fernando La Union Chapter, and Rep. Victor Ortega in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environment and Management Bureau and Department of Health.
 
“This is a project requiring every household and business establishment to empty their septic tanks every five years pursuant to the Environmental Code of the Philippines,” he said.
 
According to Ortega, P25 million of the budget covered the purchase of the 1.2 hectares lot, concrete access road, treatment pond and equipment, fencing, deep wells and administration building.
 
He said city hall contributed P10 million for the project, along with P6.5 million from the Rotary International, P2 million from Congressman Ortega and P600, 000 from the Rotary Club of San Fernando.
 
Gloria Steele, Mission Director of USAID, said the agency also welcomed other projects on environment and disaster mitigation.