BAGUIO City Mayor Mauricio Domogan is bent on establishing the city’s engineered sanitary landfill (ESL) in Itogon, Benguet.
Domogan in a yearend interview said the city is awaiting the go signal from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on the project for it to proceed but is still hoping for the approval of Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan.
Despite opposition from the local government of Itogon, Domoagan sees no hindrance for the project to commence saying the land to be used is privately owned by Benguet Corporation Incorporated, donated to the city.
The chief executive said the city will comply with all requirements needed once the DENR gives the project a green light.
Domogan added all payments needed to the local government unit of Itogon will be shouldered by the city if and when the project pushes through.
Benguet Corporation Incorporated pledged close to 30 hectares for free to the city’s use within the patented area in the company’s property for a landfill but is strongly opposed by the municipality.
Baguio City is set to use the area for 25 years as per agreement with Benguet Corp. and is eyed to become the ESL of the entire Baguio – La Trinidad – Itogon – Sablan – Tuba – Tublay areas [BLISTT] area, according to Domogan who also sits as chairman of the Regional Development Council.
Domogan said the patented land of BC remains to be property of the company even after it has stopped operation in the area citing the mining laws without the provision of the area reverting into public land.
The BC has agreed to give Itogon 9,000 square meters of land with an additional 11 hectares for the municipality to utilize as their ESL as well.
An unconfirmed rejection of the land donation has been made by the municipality without reason.
To date, Palangdan has snubbed requests from the Baguio city government to meet and amicably resolve issues on the use of the parcel of land and has voiced its protest on the plans of the city to utilize the area.
Domogan said the city is still hoping for a dialog with Palangdan.