PORAC, Pamp. – “Our mayor is indeed anti-environment and has failed to safeguard our health.”
Thus said residents here as they expressed alarm over the indiscriminate dumping of waste near the Pasig-Potrero River in Barangay Manuali. Punto Central Luzon was able to get photos of the open dumpsite after being informed by the complaining residents.
The Pasig-Potrero River served as principal channel for lahar in the aftermath of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions.
The residents said they had repeatedly complained to the local and barangay officials about the dumping of waste in Manuali to no avail. They added that first-term Mayor Roger Santos “had been focused on quarrying and merely waiting for the arrival of the President to the town” while allegedly allowing the dumping of waste in open areas which is illegal.
“Mayor Santos doesn’t deserve a minute to stay in power after the next elections. He is not doing his job and failed to protect the health of the people,” they said.
They also complained of the foul smell emitted by the dumpsite and the flies that go along with it.
Santos, in statements issued by Task Force Clean Air (TFCA) Chairman Rogie Pangilinan, said he had not authorized the dumping of waste in Manuali. He disclosed that they had created two Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) in Barangays Pio and Jalong to address the problem on waste.
Santos disclosed that the open dumpsite in Manuali had been extensively used during the time of the previous administration headed by former three-term Mayor Exequiel Gamboa.
Santos said he didn’t know that they are still using the dumpsite. He added that they will investigate the illegal dumping of waste in the village.
The residents said Santos should not have said he didn’t know the existence of Manuali dumpsite because “it’s even a worse excuse or not an excuse at all.”
The residents trooped to the residence of Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) Chairman Ruperto “Perto” Cruz on Wednesday and asked for his advice on how to deal with the garbage problem.
Cruz told the residents that the dumping of waste near the river “deals a big blow” to the water supply and endangers the fishponds downstream to as far as Minalin town and other coastal areas in Pampanga. He added that “indeed better find a better leader who will foremostly protect your health and the environment.”
“They want to have the next Kalangitan landfill in Porac,” said Cruz, referring to the sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac.
Thus said residents here as they expressed alarm over the indiscriminate dumping of waste near the Pasig-Potrero River in Barangay Manuali. Punto Central Luzon was able to get photos of the open dumpsite after being informed by the complaining residents.
The Pasig-Potrero River served as principal channel for lahar in the aftermath of the Mount Pinatubo eruptions.
The residents said they had repeatedly complained to the local and barangay officials about the dumping of waste in Manuali to no avail. They added that first-term Mayor Roger Santos “had been focused on quarrying and merely waiting for the arrival of the President to the town” while allegedly allowing the dumping of waste in open areas which is illegal.
“Mayor Santos doesn’t deserve a minute to stay in power after the next elections. He is not doing his job and failed to protect the health of the people,” they said.
They also complained of the foul smell emitted by the dumpsite and the flies that go along with it.
Santos, in statements issued by Task Force Clean Air (TFCA) Chairman Rogie Pangilinan, said he had not authorized the dumping of waste in Manuali. He disclosed that they had created two Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) in Barangays Pio and Jalong to address the problem on waste.
Santos disclosed that the open dumpsite in Manuali had been extensively used during the time of the previous administration headed by former three-term Mayor Exequiel Gamboa.
Santos said he didn’t know that they are still using the dumpsite. He added that they will investigate the illegal dumping of waste in the village.
The residents said Santos should not have said he didn’t know the existence of Manuali dumpsite because “it’s even a worse excuse or not an excuse at all.”
The residents trooped to the residence of Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement (PGKM) Chairman Ruperto “Perto” Cruz on Wednesday and asked for his advice on how to deal with the garbage problem.
Cruz told the residents that the dumping of waste near the river “deals a big blow” to the water supply and endangers the fishponds downstream to as far as Minalin town and other coastal areas in Pampanga. He added that “indeed better find a better leader who will foremostly protect your health and the environment.”
“They want to have the next Kalangitan landfill in Porac,” said Cruz, referring to the sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac.
