Saturday, July 19, 2008 Itogon vice mayor: City should not blame others By Jane Cadalig
ITOGON, Benguet -- Baguio's problem on garbage should not be blamed on its neighboring Benguet towns.
Itogon Vice Mayor Noel Ngolob said that while there may be offers for the town to be the city's garbage site, these plans cannot solve the present problem of garbage in Baguio and nearby areas should not be blamed.
"There are proposals for Itogon to be the site for Baguio's landfill, but these do not guarantee a solution to the present garbage problem the city is experiencing at present," Ngolob said.
Ngolob made the statement in reaction to the perceived blames thrown at the town for its supposed refusal to accept the put up of a city sanitary landfill in the locality.
"We are sharing the blame but it should be considered that the proposed establishment of a landfill here (Itogon) will not address the immediate problem of Baguio. There are processes that must be undertaken," he said.
At a loss on where to temporarily dump its wastes, the City Government is set to spend millions to bring its garbage to Clark, Pampanga, pending the final identification of a site for its engineered sanitary landfill (ESL).
Aside from Itogon, lots in Tuba and Sablan have also been considered as sites for Baguio's engineered sanitary landfill.
Constituents of Tuba joined residents of Irisan in barricading the entry of city garbage trucks to the open dumpsite on July 14, fearing the impending disaster if the mountain of wastes collapse.
Ngolob further clarified that the local government per se is not opposed to the proposed establishment of the landfill. The long-delayed approval of the project has created the misconception that the local government is against the proposal.
"We are open to the proposal, so are the people. They are willing to listen (on how the ESL should work) and want to study the project very carefully. But we (government) cannot at this time come up with an official stand unless our people so decides," he said. "We may get their approval in due time."
Local officials are asking the City Government to conduct an intensive information and education campaign on the proposed ESL.
Mayor Mario Godio said the acceptance of the people matters the most and the city needs to exert more effort to educate the people about the project.
He said the city should also assure that Itogon will be allowed use of the ESL once this is implemented.
A private lot owner in Virac, Itogon has manifested willingness to sell his property to the city.
City officials have conducted ocular inspection but initial works have yet to be implemented due to the objection of the people in the area.
