MikeLigalig.com

By Kit Bagaipo
source: <a href="http://www.boholchronicle.com>The Bohol Chronicle[/url]
July 4, 2007

Albur Mayor Jose Ugdoracion wants to stop the ongoing construction of the Cluster Sanitary Landfill in Albur town even as the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) has started negotiating with landowners of the project site in barangay Danggay last Friday.

The new Albur mayor, who voiced strong opposition to the project being undertaken by the PTA even before the elections, said in an interview with the Chronicle that he was surprised to learn the project's winning bidder and contractor has actually finished the road network going to the landfill.

Ugdoracion said, a notice to proceed with the project implementation was likewise received by the Laguna-based contractor.

The sanitary landfill will host 11 towns. This is undertaken by the PTA as a component project of the Panglao Island Tourism Estate (PITE) and the Panglao International Airport, mainly to manage garbage disposal from the tourist haven island.

According to Ugdoracion, the contractor informed him that they were not aware that there are still issues to be resolved in the host town regarding the project.

Presently, the 3-kilometer road component from the highway going to the landfill is already finished by the contractor, Ugdoracion said.

The mayor said a formal query has already been made at the PTA, asking for proof that the residents of Albur agreed to the project and an environmental impact assessment has made and an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) has already been issued.

The road construction, was started during the term of former Mayor Efren Tungol, according to Ugdoracion.

This, despite assurances even from Gov. Erico Aumentado that construction of the sanitary landfill will not start unless issues raised by residents opposing the project are addressed.

The landfill project will be constructed in barangay Danggay of said town.

In fact, the mayor said, Aumentado have indicated even before the election that the electoral battle between Tungol and Ugdoracion would serve as a referendum by the people of Albur if they favor or oppose the landfill project.

Ugdoracion said he is keen on recycling of garbage as an alternative to the sanitary landfill.

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