Residents disappointed over SP's recommendation on crematorium
Residents of Barangay Our Lady of Fatima, Jaro were dismayed with the committee report rendered by the committee on public services, environmental protection and ecology of the Sangguniang Panlungsod over the proposal of the Philippine American Cemetery Association Inc. (PACA) to put up a crematorium.
Atty. Pablo Tolentino, counsel of the oppositors said the committee report was done without consulting the residents.
The committee is being chaired by Councilor Perla Zulueta.
The committee on public services, environmental protection and ecology conducted a study and report on the proposed crematorium based on the letter-complaint addressed by the oppositors to Vice Mayor Guillermo de la Llana. In return, it was referred to the concerned committee.
In last week's regular session, the council decided to return the complaint to the residents as the SP is not constrained to act on the matter particularly on the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
The proponents were able to secure a Certificate of Non-Coverage from the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau. The certificate was signed by OIC Regional Director Bienvinido Lipayon and dated March 14, 2006.
The issuance of the Certificate of Non-Coverage exempts the proponent from securing an ECC and public acceptance of the proposed project. It is the SP which endorsed the issuance of the ECC.
Tolentino said the council should have guided the residents and not to flaunt that PACA has the legal legs to set up a crematorium. He said the report of the council only strengthen the claims of PACA through its president Myrna Ilacio that they can do everything to push through their plans.
Tolentino added that they are not insulting those who made the committee report but they could have had provided them several studies on the hazards caused by crematorium and not just rely on what they (committee) have.
Nevertheless, Tolentino said the battle is not yet over between the residents and the project proponent. He said they have to exercise all legal means in order to resist the proposed crematorium.