Bontoc gov’t assailed for Chico River trash dump

BONTOC, Mountain Province – An environmental group lambasted the local government of this capital town Bontoc for allegedly dumping garbage beside the Chico River despite issuance of a writ of kalikasan by the Court of Appeals.

The Kalinga Anti-Pollution Action Group (KAPAG) said the local government unit was given six months to close and rehabilitate the dump beside the Chico River.

It said the LGU has not complied with the writ issued on Feb. 22.

Estanislao Albano, a KAPAG official and one of the petitioners at the CA, said they caught a garbage truck owned by the local government dumping garbage at the site on Jan. 14.

Luis Aoas, KAPAG chairman, said there was no signage at the site prohibiting dumping, which was one of the requirements of the writ.

KAPAG filed a complaint against the local government of Bontoc in October last year to protest the continued operation of the open dump.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported to the CA that as of April 31, the Bontoc LGU has yet to comply with the writ.

KAPAG lawyer Cornelius Dannang said the group is planning to file a motion for contempt of court against the Bontoc local government.