BAYAMBANG – A thirty-three hectare lot in barangay Dusoc this town was approved by the municipal council as the site for a sanitary landfill that will have the capacity to accommodate the wastes not only of Pangasinan but other towns and cities in neighboring provinces as well.

However, the provincial board which reviews ordinances passed in city and town councils has not approved the project after concerned citizens filed their opposition to the project.

Vice Governor Oscar Lambino, presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan said the oppositors’ grievances have to be heard during a committee hearing prior to the approval of the said measure.

He said the proponents of the project, Waste Integrated Network System Inc. (WINS Inc.), chaired by lawyer Fernando Cojuangco, will be asked if it has  made the necessary consultation with the people and whether it has complied  with the necessary requirements like social engineering.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will also be invited to the hearing.

“Everyone must be given the chance to be heard. We will go through the process,” Lambino assured.

Mayor Leocadio de Vera Jr. said the municipal council passed a resolution last month granting development permit to WINS Inc. to construct, operate and develop an integrated solid waste management facilities at barangay Dusoc in compliance with Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2006.

“This project, once implemented, will answer the garbage problem not only in Pangasinan but also in nearby provinces,” de Vera said.

The approved resolution states that the services offered by the proponent is not for Bayambang alone but also for other local government units in the whole province of Pangasinan, and for other cities and municipalities from the outlying provinces relative to proper solid waste collection, transfer, treatment and disposal system, and future power generation.

It added that after careful study and thorough evaluation of the documents submitted by the proponent, the proposed site is consistent with the overall land use plan of Bayambang.

However, oppositors, in a letter dated Sept. 15 addressed to Lambino, cited  issues and concerns like geographical location of the project in which  health and environment issue arises, current and actual use of subject land  area, questionable handling of the LGU in the deliberation of the proposed sanitary landfill.

“Whether the opposition is politically motivated or not, that’s beside the point if the proponents have really complied with the requirements,” Lambino said when asked if the board will eventually approve it. – EVA

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