ITOGON Mayor Victorio Palangdan showed dismay over the National Government’s lack of action in approving the municipality’s call to develop a local sanitary landfill.
Palangdan, during the launching of the Cordillera Environmental Summit Wednesday, asked department officials why the national government has denied helping the town construct a controlled dump while mining companies were allowed to quarry in most of their area.
“Why does the Department of Environment and Natural Resources do not allow the LGU to apply for exemption to construct a sanitary landfill in some of the declared protected areas while big mining are actually permitted.” Palangdan addressed.
According to the municipal mayor, Itogon has clamored to have their own waste facility in the town of Ampucao in order to cut down on expenses handling the waste management.
“We cannot have our own sanitary landfill because a lot of the prospected spaces are declared protected areas; however we want to apply for exemption for us to be able to really comply with whichever the government presents.” Palangdan told Sun.Star Baguio.
“The LGU is willing to comply with all the standards asked by the different agencies if they will allow us.
We hope they will hear us out and not only cater to the big companies who are presently there.” he added.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Cordillera regional director Fay Apil explained those mining corporations were already situated in the municipality even before it was declared as a protected area of the DENR.
DENR Assistant Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the question is well taken and will be presented to their national office.
Cuna has graced the first ever Cordillera Environmental Summit, in place of the present DENR secretary Regina Paz Lopez, who was not able to make it “Perhaps all the questions and queries will be addressed once it reaches the secretary herself.” Cuna said.
In the message of Secretary Lopez read by Cuna in the keynote address, Cordillera is considered one of the critical areas in the country for environmental protection and preservation and needs the highest level of priority.