Mayor Lim, PNP defy PDU30

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

NEVER mind that there is a national law banning the manufacture and sale of illegal firecrackers in the country, but who dare defy President Duterte’s orders to strictly observe his own direct orders to the police and local governments to strictly enforce the law?

The President has been invoking Republic Act No. 7183 AN ACT REGULATING THE SALE, MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF FIRECRACKERS AND OTHER PYROTECHNIC DEVICES endlessly. It’s the law whose provisions he has memorized word for word. He never fails to threat local government officials who violate the law with suspension including cases to be filed against them before the Ombudsman.

Oh yes, he hates to see firecrackers being sold in the streets. Worse, he hates seeing and getting reports of mayors, barangay kapitans and police chiefs who ignore his order.

Need I say that PDU30 hates firecrackers like he hates drugs?

Well, I guess he hasn’t heard about the rampant sale of illegal firecrackers in crowded designated firecracker zones in Dagupan City! But why hasn’t the President been informed? Isn’t it the duty of DILG City Director Marlyn Laguipo to report and inform her superiors in La Union about irregularities and violations of DILG orders?  Also, Pangasinan PNP chief Col. Redrico Maranan said he would collar any police chief who disobeys his own order – to strictly enforce the President’s order.  

But the Dagupan City officials, led by Mayor Brian Lim and Chief of Police Lt. Col. Abubakar Mangelen couldn’t seem to care less, absolutely no fear ignoring the President… and yes, Mr. Maranan!

The PUNCH has photos of vendors hawking firecrackers on busy streets to motorists and pedestrians with no policemen arresting violators, much less monitoring the illegal activities.   

It being an illegal activity, surely the city government is not collecting fees from these vendors and manufacturers. And since the violation is flagrant, some people in the city are definitely raking it in every day!

But wait, reports have it that permits were issued. If true, then the permits were issued in violation of the law. Those who accepted the fees and issued the permits are accountable and liable to be charged for graft and corruption before the Ombudsman. How could that be? The manufacturers and vendors have the evidence to show because if they don’t they would be charged criminally in court. 

If that is not bad enough, even the city’s sidewalks have already been taken over as vendors’ paradise in direct contravention of DILG’s orders. Where is Ms. Laguipo in all these? Coopted as well by the syndicate operating inside city hall? Her inaction is palpable in all these violations in almost every city’s corners.   

Then, perhaps Mr. Maranan can explain why the Dagupan police is being exempted from the President’s orders.

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FAKE NEWS? CALL! The allies of Mayor Brian Lim have been busy telling all and sundry that The PUNCH’s headline last issue: ”DENR-REGION 1 CLOSES FOUR DAGUPAN OPEN DUMSPSITE” was fake news.

I have news for the Mr. Lim’s ‘fake news’ trolls.

The December 11 letter signed by Engr. Maria Doricañaz-Hipe clearly stated in her last paragraph, after citing Section 37 of Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000):

“In view of the above and lest we be charged for dereliction of duty, you are hereby ORDERED to immediately implement closure and to CEASE AND DESIST from further utilizing the area as your sole waste disposal facility. We would like to invite you or your authorized representative to attend a Technical Conference regarding the matter in the office located at the above stated address on December 19, 2019 at 9:00 A.M”

The CDO was clearly issued. It is not fake news. That the dumpsites continue to operate is for the DENR Region 1 to explain after citing its reason for issuing it lest “we be charged for dereliction of duty….” 

If it’s about the failure of DENR’s Engr. Hipe to enforce her CDO, then it’s she who’s being called “fake news” in her face by the city government.  The PUNCH has a copy of Ms. Hipe’s letter and we are certain Mayor Lim doesn’t have another letter that says the contrary.

Playing Mr. Lim’s poker game of “fake news”, I say: “CALL”! Show your letter, Mr. Lim! Or prepare to suffer the wrath of a woman scorned, labeling her ‘fake news’. Ouch!    

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