The story of two dumpsites
Posted on October 1, 2006 - Filed Under Punch Forum | Comments Off
Jevie de Guzman
1 Oct 2006
BASURAHAN in BAYAMBANG in relation to BASURAHAN in MALASIQUII hope the good Vice Governor will not cite to the people of Bayambang the success story of the unpopular dumpsite located in Barangay Taloyan, Malasiqui, Pangasinan. I was not surprised if Vice Governor Oscar Lambino supported such Sanitary Landfill project in Bayambang.
Comparing the two dump sites of these two towns, below is my short story.
The real story about the dump site in Malasiqui may have never been told. When the dump site in Malasiqui was under construction under the leadership of then Mayor Oscar Lambino, the project was marred with protest. Upon sensing that the dump site will be used as a dump site of the nearby towns like Dagupan, Calasiao, Bayambang and San Carlos, the people of Malasiqui filed protest against such plan of then Mayor Oscar Lambino. One of the bravest stands against the plan was from former Kagawad Corazon Villanueva. Believe it or not, Atty. Alfonso Soriano who is now a mayor was also one of the leaders protesting such plan of the administration of Mayor Oscar Lambino. There were accusations from the opposing group that the then Mayor Osacar Lambino will receive kick backs from the dumping towns if such plan will pursue since the payment from the neighboring towns is peanut compared to the future effect of such dump site.
Can you imagine the health hazard and risk that comes from the toxic materials from Dagupan hospitals being dumped in the hills of Malasiqui? Considering the theory that water seeks its own level, there will come a time that the seepage from the dump site in the hilly place of Malasiqui will reach the water reserves in the low land of the town. Health of thousands of people could greatly be affected for the eventual seepage of toxic waste from the hills of Barangay Taloyan.
Eventually, the construction continued but such plan of Mayor Oscar Lambino to dump the garbage of the neighboring towns did not pursue. Thanks to those who opposed it but wait, there were eyewitnesses recently that they saw trucks of garbage from Bayambang being thrown in Malasiqui when Atty Alfonso Soriano is already a mayor. Did the former Mayor and now Vice Governor Oscar Lambino investigated or protested about this? I guess he did not.
My real point here is that, if Bayambang will construct its own BASURAHAN, I advised the good Mayor Leo de Vera to make sure that such plan will not pose opposition from the affected public. It should be transparent in the sense that people will not think of any kick backs by allowing other towns to use such garbage.
I remember one protester in Malasiqui once said. If the plan of Mayor Oscar Lambino to allow Dagupan to throw their garbage here and if somebody from Dagupan asked me where I am living and if I answered Malasiqui. The guy who asked will just say AMBANGET KAYO DIMAN AH. DIMAN SO BASURAAN MI.
To the people of Bayambang – What can you say about this? You are right Ermin, MAY PERA sa BASURA. But the question is WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM the MONEY? It is such a good idea if it is will be under a real GOOD GOVERNANCE and the earnings will not just go to the pockets of corrupt politicians. Of course, the welfare of the people of Bayambang should be the primary concern. Forget about the money if the health of the people is in danger. Sabi nga nila ay HEALTH IS WEALTH. The worst thing that could happen is SILA ang KUMITA pero TAO ang KAWAWA.
I hope my friend and my kumpadre Mayor Leo de Vera will have a wise decision on such BASURA issue.
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