By Paul Rillorta
BAGUIO
CITY – There might be hope for the planned Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL)
for Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) even as garbage
disposal is mounting in the areas particularly Baguio.
Mayor
Mauricio Domogan said the Environmental
Management Bureau (EMB) voted 17-0 in support of the issuance of an
environmental compliance certificate (ECC) which is a vital requirement to
start the ESL in Barangay Ampucao.
Benguet
Gov. Nestor Fongwan and Domogan endorsed the proposed ESL through the signing
of a memorandum of understanding for ECC issuance.
Itogon
Mayor Oscar Camantiles did not sign the endorsement but he earlier signed the
joint manifestation of support to the project along with Fongwan, Domogan and
Ampucao barangay captain Eddie Amuasen.
The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) also conducted a public consultation to
residents in the area to hear their concerns regarding the planned ESL.
This
was called by Rep. Ronald Cosalan in order also to hear issues of residents
which will be directly affected by it.
Domogan’s
support for the establishment of the ESL near the city is anchored on the fact
that it could be the long term solution for the BLISTT garbage woes and also a
source of revenue.
A
South Korean firm earlier offered to grant a $30 million fund for the
establishment of the ESL on a 23-hectare
land which will be used to put-up a facility capable of converting waste to
energy on a 25-year term.
Accordingly,
the first phase of the planned ESL is the establishment of a temporary staging
area and temporary sanitary landfill to be utilized by Baguio City, La
Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay.
Domogan
said after the release of the ECC, the Korean proponent should now do his part
and show his capacity to develop the Ampucao ESL.
“The
investor should present to us his financial and well as technical capability,”
he said.
“We
have yet to scrutinize the plans and specifications of the proposed ESL,”
Domogan said stating everything should be transparent to avoid any
complications.
The
mayor said despite this, opposition can be expected to the planned ESL
development.
“We
cannot blame them, we just have to ensure that the planned ESL will comply with
Republic Act 9003 and other environmental laws,” he said.
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