CALAMBA CITY, Laguna, (PIA) --The city government of Sta. Rosa has inaugurated the Santa Rosa Environmental Testing Laboratory, the first ever local government unit (LGU)-owned and operated testing facility in the Philippines.

Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas led the inauguration August 6 of the 4-storey building located in Barangay Sinalhan.

The testing facility, to be operated by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), is established for testing waste water, ambient air samples, ambient water samples and hazardous waste samples to safeguard the health of the public and the environment.

It also aims to gather figures and data that can be used in determining the environmental programs the City ENRO would propose and implement to uphold its commitment of environmental sustainability and integrity for all.

In the meantime, City ENRO head EnP Maria Amor Salandanan said the office will focus first on testing waste water since other equipment are still to be procured.

The City ENRO also targets to conduct test run on at least 300 samples this year to qualify for accreditation. The facility is expected to be 100% operational and functional by the end of the year. 

In the future, the City sees the facility to be an economic enterprise generating income for its sustainability. (Sta. Rosa CIO FB Page/PIA-Laguna)