|
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Espinoza: Oppositors may block cemetery ECC
By Elias L. Espinoza
FIGHT. Acrissor Development Corp., the developer of a memorial park in Riverside Canduman, Mandaue City, now has the upper hand after Mandaue City approved its variance application for the cemetery.
The oppositors, however, have not given up. They are now blocking Acrissor’s application for the issuance of the environmental compliance certificate (ECC) before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The hearing of the application at the DENR was like a zarzuela. Both sides brought their cheering squads. The proceedings before the DENR looked like a competition of cheering squads.
Acrissor, owned by businessman Rick King, wants to develop a huge property in Riverside Canduman into a memorial park. Its neighbors, however, who are mostly industries, opposed the establishment of a cemetery in the area.
However, despite the opposition from residents and about 14 establishments located near the proposed cemetery, the Mandaue City Government approved the recommendation of the zoning board.
The oppositors’ last resort would be to block the application for an ECC.
While both parties have the money to possibly influence the outcome of the application, I suppose money is not the issue here. It is about the viability of the project and the possible ill effects it may cause.
I know the DENR, which has the technical know-how, is in a better position to assess whether to grant the ECC or not. The ECC would be the last impediment for the developer.
The oppositors anchored their opposition to Acrissor’s application for ECC on the ground of pollution. The oppositors believe that the underground water source for MCWD would be contaminated.
However, using the opinion of a water expert, Acrissor maintains that the development of a cemetery in Riverside Canduman will not in any way harm or contaminate the water source.
DENR’s decision to issue an ECC or not will be very crucial to Acrissor’s project, a memorial park that the City needs because the public cemetery is full and there are about only two private cemeteries in Mandaue City.
If the oppositors will get the sympathy of DENR officials, this will mean an end to Acrissor’s development project and possibly a loss to the City Government.
WITS. It took wits and guts to finally demolish the old abattoir near the burnt public market of Mandaue City. The elements of surprise worked for the policemen and the City’s demolition
personnel.
Insp. Restituto Grado and his team deserve credit for a job well done. The City Government can now renovate the edifice into a fish market, which is currently using Ceniza St.
Aside from the denial of the petition for injunction, the removal of the scalding vats makes the case of the butchers who oppose the closure of the old abattoir difficult.
The butchers had better learn to look for other means of livelihood to survive. The closure of the old abattoir was the City’s exercise of its ownership over the building and police power.
(June 26, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
