CDC employees want benefits back

CLARK FREEPORT— Members of the Association of Concerned Clark Development Corporation (CDC) Employeesor ACCESfor two weeks now from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm hold a strike for management to honor their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Paul Mamangun, ACCES rank and file president said that the CDC administration have taken away all their benefits.

“For six years now we have not received the benefits due us under the CBA. The previous CDC administration has taken away all benefits invoking Republic Act 10149,” he said.

Mamangun added that the CDC management has refused to discuss the concern with them.

of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. Velasco, chairman of the Manila Bay Advisory Council, also noted of the materials recovery facility (MRF) of the Municipal Government of Lubao as worthy of emulation for all LGUs.

During the summit, Velasco enjoined LGUs and stakeholders contributing to the overall welfare of the Pampanga River which drains its water to the Manila Bay to maintain a “synergy” of efforts to protect the historic bay.

Though Central Luzon is kilometers away from the actual Manila Bay, Velasco said communities in the region have direct and indirect benefits from the water body that has one of the world’s best sunset views.

The SC, in efforts to preserve the Manila Bay, has issued a mandamus that obligates areas along rivers that flow down to Manila Bay as stakeholders of its upkeep.

The same mandamus has a penal provision that seeks to charge local officials who are remiss in their duties to protect their waterways.

Based on a report from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Velasco said only 23 of the 94 LGUs in Central Luzon have approved solid waste management plans; 45 or less than 50 percent are segregating their garbage at source; only 39 have effective MRFs; and only 58 comply with proper residual waste disposal.

However, Velasco came to the LGUs’defense as he urged House representatives to file amendments to the existing Solid Waste Management Act and give LGUs more time to fully comply with all the requirements of law.

“It is difficult for LGUs to comply will all the requirements of the law given their budgetary constraints,” he said.

He said the national government should establish landfills, a facility that the law on garbage allows where residual wastes are dumped and processed for various use.

Velasco said Governor Pineda is right on her advocacy to protect and preserve Manila Bay.

“Governor Pineda is correct in saying that whatever pollution is thrown in rivers upstream like Nueva Ecija could lead to the Pampanga River and eventually to the Manila Bay,” he said.

‘Unite to protect the environment’ Meanwhile, Governor Lilia Pineda has called on her fellow officials in Central Luzon to unite to protect the environment.

The governor disclosed that Central Luzon is faced with many challenges, including solid waste and pollution on air and water.

Illegal logging destroys water shed areas, according to Governor Pineda.

“Ang patuloy na illegal logging at kaingin ang siyang pangunahing dahilan sa pagkasira ng kabundukan. Walang pumipigil sa mabilis na daloy ng tubig na sanhi ng landslide, pagkamatay ng ilan sa ating mga kababayan, at ang malalang pagbaha at pinsala sa agrikultura,” she said.

Manila Bay, which is the source of livelihood of many people, is continuously destroyed because of the peoples’ irresponsible actions.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat at nagkaroon tayo ng pagkakataon upang magkaharap harap at magusapusap hindi para magturuan at magsisihan kundi para magkaisa nating mabigyan ng solusyon at ating mga problema,” Governor Pineda said.

She urged people in Region III to unite and commit in the campaign to save Manila Bay.

“Walang imposible kung tayo ay sama-sama. Walang mahirap kung tayo ay tulong –tulong. Sa harap ng ating butihing Supreme Court Justice Presbitero Velasco, Jr., tayong mga taga-Central Luzon ay nagpapahayag ng ating pagkakaisa, na tayo ay sama-samang umaksiyon, nagkakaisa para sa ating Manila Bay,” Governor Pineda said.

The governor also thanked various government agencies, including the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Interior and Local Government and others for their support.

“Ako ay umaasa na tayong mga halal na opisyales sa ibat-ibang bayan at siyudad dito sa Gitnang Luzon ay patuloy na magkaisa para mapangalagaan ang ating kailikasan,” she said. — With JTD