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Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Environment office warns of class suit v. city
By Rimaliza Opiña
BAGUIO CITY -- Residents here could file a class suit against local officials if they fail to act immediately on the spread of smoke coming from the burning garbage at the Irisan dumpsite.
Engineer Rolando Reyes, chief of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) pollution control division, said residents may file a citizens' suit before his office if the City fails to control the spread of smoke coming from the dumpsite.
He said while steps have so far been taken to convert the dumpsite in compliance with the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act, the move to rehabilitate the area is moving at a slow pace.
The city was given until February 2006 to convert the Irisan dumpsite into a controlled facility.
After conversion, the EMB also mandates all local government units (LGUs) to convert controlled dumpsites into sanitary landfills.
Baguio is reportedly still in the process of identifying probable sites for a sanitary landfill.
Over the weekend, the EMB reported the smoke coming from the dumpsite has affected the overall air quality in Baguio.
If mitigating measures and long-term solutions are not effected the soonest time possible, Reyes warned it would not only the environment that would be affected but also the health of residents.
Engineer Nazita Bañez, head of the technical working committee designated to carry out the rehabilitation, admitted her group is at a loss on where to source out funds.
She said this is one reason why their group asked the City Council to declare the dumpsite under a state of calamity so funds could be accessed. An initial P1.3 million has also been requested.
The council had rejected the request, saying there are available funds in the city's budget for solid waste management.
The waste law states that "segregation and collection of solid waste at source shall be conducted at the barangay level specifically for biodegradable, compostable and recyclable wastes," and that the respective cities and municipalities shall promote initiatives in the community to undertake waste segregation and collection.
Complementing this provision, the law mandates that "collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality or city."
Mayor Braulio Yaranon is requesting the council to hold a special session on the request of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo).
Councilor Edilberto Tenefrancia, meanwhile, commented: "The SOP (standard operating procedure) in this administration is to start late," saying the council could appropriate up to P14 million from the solid waste management fund of the City if only the documents furnished them by the mayor's office had been more specific.
"We have to act to address the situation. Unfortunately, the executive does not tell (us) the plan," the councilor noted, adding that ways to mitigate the fire at the dumpsite is too general in scope and that the breakdown of expenses provided to them does not give a picture of things that have to be done.
Members of the local finance committee, headed by Budget Officer Leticia Clemente, are expected to clarify issues concerning the disbursement of funds for the dumpsite in Tuesday's council session.
(April 19, 2005 issue)
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