Baguio mayor pledges help to Tuba ‘trashslide” victims

By Isagani Liporada

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week assured Tuba, Benguet municipal officials of full cooperation of the city government and aid in addressing trash disaster issues wrought by recent Yyphoon “Mina” in towns located along Asin Road in Tuba.

He said he had a meeting with Tuba officials where provisional aid in terms of job opportunities and health services were discussed.

The Tuba government recently passed a Resolution 125-2011 urging the city of Baguio to address effects of the Irisan trash avalanche that claimed six lives and destroyed several houses at the height of Typhoon "Mina" last August 27.

Tuba vice mayor Clarita Salongan with aldermen Roger Kitma, Maria Carantes, and Garey Behis aired their local government’s concern over at the City Council, Monday.

They made a call before Domogan after the brief City Council appearance.

Domogan said the Baguio Health Department earmarked P270-thousand worth of health supplies for distribution to all trash-slide affected residents in the barrios of Tadiangan, Simon, Palsiw and Nangalisan along Asin Road.

The mayor likewise thanked Department of Health – Cordillera chief Myrna Cabotaje for assisting the city in supplying potable water.

Around 300-water containers have been provided by the city to almost the same number of affected Tuba residents.

DOH-Cordillera on the other hand provided hyposol water purifying tablets, hypochloride solutions, and jerican disinfectants to ensure stored water delivered by the Baguio Water District in the affected locale is safe for human consumption.

A water treatment facility was likewise piloted in nearby Sablan to address potable water shortage to deter residents from wells with Irisan dumpsite contaminants.

Domogan revealed he talked with Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan and officials of affected barangays regarding provisional jobs for able-bodied residents in the area. “Those who are willing to help in cleaning trash-slide affected areas may submit their names to their respective barangay chiefs.”

“Once we have the list, we could prepare for job-order contracts so they could likewise earn a living while helping us clear the waste that poured-over from Irisan dumpsite to Tuba.”

Meanwhile, Domogan cautioned Tuba Municipal officials from coming up with unrealistic demands their constituents might be raise out of being miffed by the ‘force majeur’.

“I hope their demands can meet Department of Budget and Management requirements to prevent any delays on the city’s part,” he added.

He urged the Tuba officialdom to bill the city the soonest possible time by coming up cost estimates as to infrastructural damages in the area brought about the waste avalanche so the city could address the same in next to no time.

A joint meeting is set between city and municipal officials on Oct. 10 in City Hall to harmonize each local government’s plans in addressing the Irisan dumpsite tragedy.