MikeLigalig.com

DUMAGUETE CITY -- The city council here has approved a resolution granting authority to Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo to sign for the city government, the proposed deed of absolute sale of a land that could be the site of a sanitary landfill (SLF).

The council voted five in favor, one against and three abstain during Wednesday’s session, raising questions as to its validity, considering that the deal involves a PHP18.7-million fund for the 30,530-sq. meter lot at PHP615 per sq. meter.

Councilor Agustin Perdices said with a sizeable amount of money involved, the vote needs a qualified majority.

Councilor Manny Arbon, an environmental lawyer, however, said that only a simple majority of all the members present during the session was required because the amount had been approved and obligated in an appropriation ordinance in their previous session. 

The five who voted “yes” were Arbon, Lilani Ramon, Jo Kenneth Arbas, Alan Gel Cordova and Michael Bandal. Only Perdices voted “no” while Lionel Banogon, Jose Victor Imbo and Estanislao Alviola were out of the session hall when the voting was conducted, thus their votes were considered as abstentions.

The four, however, clarified that they support the city’s desire to establish a sanitary landfill, but are awaiting the go signal of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) after an assessment is conducted on the appropriateness and suitability of the proposed site.

The site is situated more than 100 meters away from the nearest housing subdivision, which is the Bloomington housing site, and 300 to 400 meters away from the waterway.

According to Arbon, the technical working group (TWG), which he chairs, would not be surprised if there is opposition to the proposed site due to misconceptions that the city is merely transferring the garbage dumpsite to another site within the barangay.

Arbon said the city has been forced to look for sites within Dumaguete because of the “NIMBY” or the “not in my backyard” attitude of communities in at least six probable sites they have visited in Valencia, Sibulan, and Dauin.

He said the “NIMBY” attitude is a major stumbling block in the acquisition of a sanitary landfill.

But with at least three “final” orders of the DENR for the closure of the present dumpsite in Candau-ay, and a sort of sword of Damocles hanging over the head of the local government unit with a potential lawsuit against sitting officials, “by all means legal, we have to find an SLF site,” Arbon said.

Councilor Imbo said if the TWG respects the sentiments of communities they have visited, there is no reason for the city not to address the question of social acceptability in the proposed SLF site in Dumaguete.

Arbon said the city government of Dumaguete is running against time, with no other possible area that can accommodate an average of 60 to 70 tons of garbage daily.

The best option, he said, is to purchase the lot for a possible site of the SLF. 

He noted that segregation at source will be strictly enforced, and that only residual waste should arrive at the SLF.

Arbon wanted to correct the notion that a sanitary landfill is no different from a garbage dumpsite.

It is called sanitary because through advanced technology, no foul odor is produced in the site, he explained, citing as an example the SLF in Bayawan City, where surrounding communities could hardly smell any foul odor since its establishment seven years ago.

In fact, he said, the recent Boy Scouts camp was held near the SLF.

Arbon emphasized the need for a thorough information campaign to address the wrong notion and perception.

This is why Liga ng mga Barangay chairman, Councilor Banogon, abstained because as punong barangay, a lot of consultations are required before any environmental project is established.

Candau-ay village chief Gregorio Oira informed him that a consultation is scheduled on Sunday. (PNA
 NOVEMBER 2O17



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