City answers Writ attacks

Thursday, February 9, 2012

THE City Government of Baguio has finally replied to the Writ of Kalikasan petition filed at the Supreme Court by several residents of Tuba, Benguet.

The reply was prepared by the City Legal Office with City Legal Officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes leading the three-man team that drafted the answer of the city last February 3.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan told reporters Wednesday that the city has been complying with the Supreme Court’s order not to use the Irisan dumpsite.

He said the city has enumerated in the reply the different actions the city has undergone to observe R.A. 9003 including the proper operation of the Irisan dumpsite including also its adherence to other environmental laws.

The reply also explained the actions made by the City Government and its officials to ensure the safety of the Irisan facility including its environmental impacts as opposed to claims of the petitioners.

Domogan said they have made several infrastructure measures such as the construction of the retaining wall in 2010 to protect the inert garbage from spilling over to nearby communities.

Domogan, however, passed on the judgment to the court and the people on whether the Writ of Kalikasan petition and Temporary Environmental Protection Order filed against the City Government is merely a form of political harassment against his administration.

Among the petitioners who filed for Writ of Kalikasan are Benguet Representative Ronald Cosalan, National Artist Benedicto Cabrera, Benguet Board Member Johny Waguis.

Also included in the petition were Leonardo Taganas, Pedro Buyagao, Mike Bunnol, Erlinda Soriano, Elisa Mariano, Hilario Palos who were residents of Tuba, Benguet.

The Municipal Council members of Aringay, La Union, namely Charlie Juloya, Benjamin Sibuma, Emelio Yaranon, Teresita Garcia, Vito Balangue, Romeo Carino, Genoveva Obra, Victoriano Batario, Ramon Medriano and Michael Sibuma were also co-petitioners.

In the reply, the city legal officer told the Supreme Court to dismiss the case filed against the city including the lifting or dissolving of the Writ of Kalikasan and Temporary Environmental Protection Order.

This way the city will be allowed to fully complete the 10-year rehabilitation process of making Irisan dumpsite as an eco-park, all in accordance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and other environmental laws.

The reply also prayed for the petitioners to pay respondents for moral damages and exemplary damages in an amount as may be determined by the court.