Town councilors: Mayor insincere in fixing problem

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Tuba town lawmakers had no recourse but to seek help from the Provincial Board to resolve trash slide issues still left unresolved.

Tuba Vice Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan with Councilors Roger Kitma and Adora Paus implored for help from Provincial Board members apparently after a meeting with Baguio Mayor Maurico Domogan failed to satisfy queries on how to fix the trash slide in August.

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Kitma said the meeting with Domogan left councilors wanting more clarification. “The meeting failed to satisfy us.”

Kitma said Domogan attended the joint meeting Wednesday last week but failed to give concrete answers to Tuba aldermen.

Kitma was dismayed when Domogan said the City of Baguio could not justify payment for residents who cleared trash after a mountain of garbage fell on the Tuba area.
Town officials have been requesting Baguio City to compensate those who cleared trash during the height of the problem forcing them to quit work for a few days until conditions became livable them.

The town officials are also asking the City Government to repair damaged foot bridges, slope protections and water systems.

They added that health of residents is the foremost concern now as water system is contaminated. There are 332 families in 295 households at Sitio Cinco with no water supply and no safe water to drink.

But Domogan denied the allegations, saying a team of experts have made a water analysis that shows no sign of water contamination.

A town sent a resolution earlier to the City of Baguio, stipulating eight requests. First, provide health services to residents of the town who have been affected by the stench and trash residue. Second, construct water facilities and water tanks, among others. Third, provide safe drinking water until water facilities have been restored. Fourth, stop dumping of waste in the Irisan area. Fifth, rehabilitate the retaining wall of the dumpsite which collapsed. Sixth, construct a screen for the perimeter of the trash area. Seventh, compensation must be given to residents who initiated clean-up of the trash slide and lastly removal of remaining garbage, which continues to damage creeks and rivers of the town.