Landfill an open-ended issue
ICONSIDER the Inayawan landfill issue as “open-ended” despite the closure order by the Court of Appeals (CA). This is because the protagonists are still pushing their own agenda. Cebu City Councilor Joel “Ang Panday” Garganera, who filed the writ of kalikasan petition wants the landfill closed permanently or abandoned, with the City looking for an alternative dump site.
Garganera claimed the landfill has outgrown its usefulness and is ill-suited as a dumping area based on legal, environmental and socio-cultural grounds.
A writ of kalikasan is a legal remedy under Philippine law that provides protection of one's right to a healthy environment, as outlined in Section 16, Article 11 of the Constitution, which says that the “state shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accordance with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
But do you think the “former political has-been” would accept the CA's decision sitting down? No. He will move heaven and earth so the city can continue using the landfill.
The CA decision ordered the city's chief executive to “permanently cease and desist from dumping garbage or solid waste at the Inayawan landfill until it is fully rehabilitated.” Note the condition, “until fully rehabilitated.” It is not a total and permanent abandonment of the area.
The “former political has-been” could still insist on rehabilitating the dump site so the city can continue its operation. In fact, included in the city's budget next year is an appropriation of P600 million for the rehabilitation of that landfill. Meaning, he will still push for its operation.
Why? Because he has his own agenda, one of which is to harass the developers that bought parcels of land at the South Road Properties (SRP) during “has-been” mayor Michael Rama's time. And maybe he also has personal and hidden motives.
Sources told me that when Department of Public Services (DPS) chief and former city councilor Roberto “Bob” Cabarrubias presented the budget to the members of the city council during a caucus, he was asked about the program of works and estimate for the rehabilitation of the landfill. Cabarrubias could not answer the question categorically. He supposedly told the members: “for the record your honors, somebody just told me to present the figure.”
Imagine preparing a huge budget without presenting in detail how to spend it? And who is that somebody? Is it the mayor or someone who holds a very sensitive position in City Hall but with no official appointment and public accountability?
The only way to prevent the implementation of the agenda of the “former political has-been” is for the city council, which is dominated by Team Rama allies, to junk his request. And that's their initial stand. What's the use of appropriating that amount when they want the landfill to be permanently closed as it has reached its life span? Bisan pa og unsa-on na og rehabilitate, mapuno ra gihapon na.
Besides, there is now economic activity in the nearby sites at the SRP and its neighboring areas are becoming densely populated. The dump site is hazardous to the residents there. To quote Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, who personally expected the site, the area is an “environmental bombshell.”
If you are an investor, would you invest at the SRP when you can smell the stench? The residents in nearby areas and even those who pass by there are complaining of the foul odor.
That's why I said this is an “openended issue.” This person will always do his worst until he gets what he wants. I could sense he will make the opposition councilors' lives miserable through other means, like cutting off their allowances and benefits, recalling their vehicles, trimming down their staff and consultants and many other things he can do until they (opposition) will succumb to his demand.
Worse, he will initiate recall election against them. You know already the character of this person. He acts like a dictator and he thinks he is God. May God forgive him.