Sogod?s Brgy. Zone V Dumpsite Is Now A Mountain Of Garbage-Gaviola

Maasin City, Southern Leyte - Meriam Gaviloa, Prov?l Consultant of Solid Waste Management has revealed during the SP?s recent session at the provincial capitol, this city, that the dumpsite located in brgy.Zone V, Sogod is now a mountain of garbage.

She disclosed that after her visit at the dumpsite, accompanied by a certain SB member Olo she was informed that some people living near the dumpsite area were having some skin diseases, obviously acquired from the uncovered filthy heaps of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

EMR in-charged Maribel Monsayak has told the Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Jason Calva of district 2 that the National Solid Waste Commission has already instructed the Sogod-LGU to close the dumpsite, but ignored the order from DENR Secretary Lito Atienza.

Calva also clarified to the august body that RA9003 ?stipulates that the implementation and enforcement of a law regarding dumpsite to close is lodged to the LGU? but ?they are pointing their fingers to the provincial government instead of their office for appropriate action on the problem?. Although District 2 representative acknowledged that Sogod dumpsite has a provincewide implication, the municipality concerned must act on its responsibility now, he stressed.

The Finance Chair further emphasized that Sogod Chief Executive should not wait for the provincial government to act on the matter, but the local Municipal Planning Development Office itself with the assistance of the Environment Management Bureau and the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Proposed Dumpsites

It was learned that there are 2 proposed dumpsites in Sogod like in sitio Milagroso and Taa. But either of the 2 sites was not yet inspected by the DENR?s Environment Management Bureau personnel whether the site is fit for as the new dumpsite.

SPs Roberto Lagumbay, former Hinunangan Mayor and Albert Esclamado, formerLimasawa Mayor have shared their experiences in the difficulty of getting a suitable area for a dumpsite in their respective municipalities.

Lagumbay and Esclamado divulged that before a suitable dumpsite can be found as ?wastes receptacle? they have make 3 choices of sites for the EMB to chose until one was chosen and approved by the environment agency ?before paying the lot owner?.

Esclamado also supported Calva?s claim that it should be the Solid Waste Management and concerned LGU that would act on solving the dumpsite problem. While the EMB would likewise act upon request for inspection if the newly-proposed dumpsites for selection is far from residential houses and is environment-friendly.

?The DENR who is in-charged in the protection and conservation of the environment should act to help find solution to the problem of Sogod dumpsite affecting the ecology rather than filing a complaint against the municipality?s LGU?, Calva pointed out. (Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)

About the Contributor:

Mr. Quirico M. Gorpido Jr was an erstwhile Correspondent/Contributor to the following weeklies and dailies: Tacloban-based regional weekly a 33-year-old The Reporter for many years(now defunct), a Cebu-based weekly The Visayan Express(now defunct),Cebu-based daily The Freeman(1994-1998) now a sister publication of The Philippine Star, Maasin-based weekly The Southern Leyte Times for three years, Tacloban-based daily The Leyte Samar Daily Express(2000-2001), Cebu-based daily the Cebu Daily News(2002-2003), Tacloban-based weekly 7-year-old Tribune(2003-2007).