VEILED DEPRIVATION

SOMETHING SMELLS

Negros Daily Bulletin

by Jose Ma. S. Jalandoni

Our trapo leaders (not all)  - who, unfortunately, compose a big chunk of government- seem to be losing their ability to conceal their dastardly intentions.  Nowadays their well meaning projects, in one way or another, fall into disarray and are found not to be so well meaning after all.  On the national level examples are the ZTE, LRT, fertilizer scams and so on.

And so it is with our local officials here in Bacolod.  Take the case of the open dumpsite at Brgy. Felisa.  Mayor Leonardia and his cohorts (Atty. Zamora et al) have been moving heaven and earth to justify their choice for our garbage dumpsite, only to be revealed ( by the Anti BAHA and friends) that the area is indeed inappropriate. 

As early as Dec. 21, 2004, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) reported that the soil condition at Purok Acacia, Felisa is permeable, and the groundwater level is shallow at 2.1 meters from the surface. This means that the soil is very active in water discharge directly penetrating to ground water level.  MGB had studied three areas, recommended Purok Hagnaya, but said the Acacia and Balulan areas may be used provided the city implements mitigating factors, including putting an impermeable lining among others which will ultimately cost more to the taxpayer.

Worse, Purok Acacia site is only 15 meters away from the Cabura Creek. IRR, Rule XIV Operations of Sanitary Landfills, Letter M Number 1 states:  The facility shall be at minimum of 50 meters away from any perennial stream, lake or river.

The National Solid Waste Management Council Executive Director Atty. Zoilo Andin, Jr. issued a “ Notice of Non- compliance with Sec. 37 of Republic Act. 9003” on July 31, 2008, warning Mayor Leonardia to immediately undertake measures to address the city’s continued non-compliance with the law. He further said that failure to heed the warning could result in administrative prosecution before the DILG or criminal action to impose the penalties provided for the R> A. 9003.  What happened to all that warning?

The city so conveniently excuses itself from the responsibility but upon closer scrutiny the obvious fact is the local officials led by the Mayor/ Atty. Zamora were also definitely remiss in their choice of the garbage site and the implementation of R.A. 9003.  The DENR is not off the hook either.  The DENR together with our local  officials are guilty- period.

And this is the crux of this short article.  Isn’t the responsibility of seeing to the welfare of the constituents of Bacolod the primordial reason for our elected officials’ being?  Aren’t they the ones who are delegated to steer the laws and regulations of the city to their proper implementation and conclusion?  Because of such a mandate, they are obligated to enforce these laws concerning correct waste disposal and as such, obligated again to empower the people to maintain a strict regimen for their health and welfare. This is good governance.  Because they continue to fail to do this, they deprive us the right to a wholesome and safe environment which is one of the most important conditions  in a modern city which Leonardia claims Bacolod is today. 

Not providing the city with the proper waste disposal program is deprivation – albeit veiled… this is what they are good at…hiding the truth.  The people see the dumpsite.  They don’t realize it does not conform to the basic requirements for safety and health.