Barangay Felisa residents not consulted on dumpsite acquisition
BACOLOD CITY -- The City Government of Bacolod already paid for the acquisition of the 7-hectare dumpsite in Barangay Felisa here, but it failed to properly consult the officials and the people of the said barangay.
Barangay Capt. Perigrino Aspan said there was no proper consultation made by the city to the barangay in relation to the purchase of the permanent dump site, which is just adjacent to the existing dumpsite.
He said, they only heard on radio that the city government has already purchased the dump site from the Dynasty Agricultural Corp.
Aspan said that this matter needs the approval of the people because the barangay will be the host of a permanent dump site. Their previous endorsement on the existing dumpsite was only good for three years from 2004 when the dump site in Purok Tonggoy in Barangay Mandalagan was also closed down due to the complaints of the people.
Aspan believes that it is only proper to consult the barangay officials and the people.
"We need to consult our people on this before the barangay can decide whether they will give its consent or approval for the continued use of the barangay for the city's permanent dump site. Their barangay only accepted to be the host of the existing dumpsite because no barangay in the city have ever accepted when the old dump site was also closed down. Barangay Felisa saved the city from its need for a dump site. We agreed to have the dump site in our barangay because this is our city. We don't want that it will get stink," said Aspan.
Aspan added their barangay has benefited in terms of benefits being the host barangay, they have not received any extra attention from the city in terms of additional funds for its health and environmental programs.
Barangay Kagawad Ma. Fe Tresfuentes said that on Monday, Councilor Gasataya will bring his Technical Working Group on the dump site to present their plans.
"If we have to think about it, the barangay has left with no choice because the city has already purchased the dump site. We heard from the radio the issues of alleged overpricing and if they will not utilize the new dump site, the city will be losing more. The city has negotiated for the purchase of the dumpsite without respecting the barangay. We want them to observe the right and proper procedure. Being the host barangay, they should have consulted us because not all of the people here are in favor of putting the dumpsite in the barangay," she said.