CABANATUAN CITY, July 14 -- Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio "Oyie" Umali has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate septage waste disposal practices, warning that weak enforcement of the Clean Water Act could endanger public health and water resources.

During a recent meeting of the Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC), Umali raised concerns over what he described as a "silent crisis" involving improper septic waste management.

Umali, who chairs the RDC Infrastructure Development Committee, urged the DENR to determine whether LGUs, water districts and private operators are complying with Republic Act 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004), particularly on septage treatment and disposa...