OFFICIALS of the Misamis Oriental Provincial Government have welcomed the congressional probe on the illegal importation of South Korean wastes in Tagoloan town, even as they manifest willingness to appear in the hearing should they be summoned by the lawmakers.
Board member Gerardo Sabal said members of the capitol’s legislative branch are willing to attend the hearing, being the first body who exposed the tons of imported garbage that arrived in the province last year.
Sabal said he heard from a customs official here that the next hearing will be held in the city. The provincial board was not invited during the first schedule in Manila.
“I don’t know kung what purpose ang congressional hearing ug kung unsa ilang gusto masuta but kung i-invite ta we are willing to appear in order to shed light kay kita man una nag-expose ana nga problema,” Sabal said.
(I don’t know what purpose is the congressional hearing is all about, but whatever they want to know, and if we are to be invited, we are willing to appear to shed light, because we are the first to expose that problem)
Sabal said he could not question the decision of the members of the congressional committees handling the investigation as to what agency or personalities to be invited.
He said the House of Representatives is the setting all the preparations for the next hearing.
Sabal reiterated that this is not the time to point fingers as to who are responsible for the illegal garbage importation. He also said the government should prioritize first the return of the remaining bulk of garbage stored at Verde Soko’s facility, back to its origin.
“This is not the time to point fingers kinsay sad-an, ang priority is mabalik ang basura sa (the garbage should be brought back to) South Korea,” he said.
Governor Yevgeny Emano also welcomes the congressional investigation.
He also said he is willing to attend if invited so he could listen to the government’s direction in aid of legislation, on how to strengthen laws and policies related to garbage importation.
“Nalipay ko nga nagsugod na ang (I am happy for the start of the) investigation and we welcome any investigation and we hope we will be invited,” Emano said. (AS)