|
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Mercado: DENR probe on city dumpsite
By Ram Mercado
THERE are a number of exciting topics that stimulate even the most infertile mind of a local column writer.
I am usually a single-dish guy who delights in a fave food in one setting, rather than drool over a smorgasborg event. Consequently, you can conclude I am not qualified, as I will be severely handicapped, to join an orgy.
For one, I am equally disturbed as the supporters of San Fernando City Mayor Oca Rodriguez are, over the mayor's problem with DDT. I do not refer to a fogging operation against dengue, but to the campaign of Didi-Tiger to unset their common foe.
Leaders of Governoe Mark Lapid are explaining the flare-up a new of Vice Governor Yeng Guiao to residual anger arising from the Coach's dismal performance in the contest for Chief Coach of the national basketball team and the bottom rating of his Red Bull Barakos in the PBA conference. Of Course Yeng has a higher calling to public service than being a prized coach, even if it is for the national pool.
Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo should visit the Capitol more often via the newly-paved road starting from the GSO road. In that stretch he will find bird-sellers who display an array of migratory birds presumably caught in his town. If Jerry is serious in his bird conservation project, he can seize the exotic birds for sale and apprehend the vendors.
The other day I was greeted by the bedroom-voice of famous crusader Perto Cruz on radio who scored President Arroyo, buttressing his argument by citing the SM City Clark project which, he suggested, should have been built in Lubao, hometown of the President.
Reacting to the recent column about Cuayan dumpsite burning, Angeles City No.1 Councilor Vicky Vega-Cabigting told me she will make an official move, via resolution, to find a permanent solution to the menace.
In the same write-up, I cited the silence of the Nepomucenos who live only a distance from the stinking, toxic dumpsite. Rep. Blueboy similarly reacted, sending me without side comment his communication to Environment Secretary Michael Defensor, herein reproduced for Angeles residents:
Sir:
Today I am writing to you for a simple reason: To help me - to help all the people of Angeles City - breathe better.
For years now we have fought against air pollution being indiscriminately emitted by the Cuayan dumpsite that nestles a few meters from thickly populated barangays, subdivisions, private and public schools, and the Clark Special Economic Zone.
We have appealed to the local government officials for so many times but our concerns fell on deaf ears asking them to permanently stop burning waste, because on a fine, sunny afternoon last January 11 to 13, 2005 all the residents in the said area suddenly simply could not breathe from foul odor and a thick cloudy smoke has engulfed the entire area from the Clark Development Corporation building inside Clark to Essel Subdivision, Brgy. Telebastagan, City of San Fernando. It was like re-experiencing the Pinatubo eruption. The smoke suspended in the air until 8 a.m., the sun is grayed by a smog ascending from the dumpsite. Residents were choking and had to run inside their houses to catch breath because a mountain-sized garbage was furiously burning. Adjacent the dumpsite, we have the Cuayan Elementary School, Angeles City National Trade School, Apung Guidang Nepo Elementary School, Westfields International School and the Holy Family Academy, garbage burned in close proximity to them. Classes were suspended, s
And today's garbage contains nasty chemicals unheard of a generation ago. Burning average household trash produces smoke that contains benzene, arsenic, carbon monoxide, lead, mercury, soot and hydrogen cyanide. The smoke is harmful to anyone who breathes it. The worst culprits are plastic, synthetic fabrics, PVC, treated and painted wood, coated papers, and any hazardous waste such as batteries or paint that might be thrown in. When burned at relatively low temperatures, the items release dioxins and furans, carcinogens that can float into the air then fall back to ground where they can build up in livestock, milk, meats and the people who eat them.
"What we burn, becomes what we eat."
The dioxin from food in an average diet is one of the leading risks for cancer in the United States, about 1-in-1,000 for the general population and 1-in-1,000 for people who eat lots of fatty fish or meats. Dioxin also has been linked to possible reproductive problems and immune system deficiencies in humans. Some people don't know that it's illegal to burn trash. Others don't know the health and environmental reasons against it. Still others simply don't care, and go right on burning to save money on garbage collection.
"As provided for under Section 4 of EO 192, the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) is mandated to be the primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country's environment and natural resources, including those in reservations, watershed areas and lands of the public domain, as well as the licensing and regulation of all natural resources utilization as may be provided by law in order to ensure equitable sharing of the benefits derived therefrom for the welfare of the present and future generations of Filipinos." I am requesting your office to intervene on this solid waste disposal problem in Angeles City as urgent as possible due to the LGU's (local government unit) lack of priority programs on solid waste disposal.
The dumpsite pollutes not only the air we breath but also contaminates the water. I would also appreciate very much if you could personally, or send your representatives, to inspect the dumpsite and verify the information I received that this dumpsite lacks the required environmental compliance certificate from the DENR. We have all the valid reasons to demand for the immediate closure of the Cuayan Dumpsite unless otherwise we could muscle out an alternative, proper, acceptable and doable solid waste management program at the Cuayan Dumpsite.
(Sgd.) Fracis Blueboy L. Nepomuceno
Congressman, First District, Pampanga
(January 19, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
