Banuyao residents oppose concrete batching plant
Though everything is already in place, some of the residents of Barangay Banuyao, La Paz expressed their objection to the proposed concrete batching plant needed for the second phase of the P2 billion Iloilo Flood Control Project (IFCP).
In last Wednesday's regular session, the Sangguniang Panlungsod referred the residents' objection and complaint to Engr. Al Fruto of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau after the council has already favorably endorsed the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) last April 2006.
Fruto oversees the flood control project in the city.
The batching plant being contested by the residents is to be set up by the China International Water and Electrical Corporation, the contractor of the Iloilo Flood Control project. The firm is represented by its project manager Mr. Liu Limin.
The City Council received two letters opposing the construction of a batching plant. The first letter dated April 12, 2006 was written in Hiligaynon and signed by 24 residents.
The second letter dated April 20, 2006 was written by Genaro Jadulos. Jadulos was the former barangay captain of Banuyao but lost in the last election to Barangay Capt. Arturo Magbanua.
Both letters however did not explicitly state the reasons for their objection except the fear that said batching plant could be hazardous to health and could cause pollution.
The News Today learned that on March 19, 2006, the barangay council of Banuyao has approved a resolution favorably endorsing the application of the China International Water & Electrical Corporation to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) relative to the proposed concrete batching plant.
The approval of the barangay resolution was based on the signatures of 34 residents who favored the construction of concrete batching plant.
Ten days after the approval of the barangay resolution, Limin wrote a letter to Mayor Jerry Treñas for the issuance of the ECC. And on March 31, 2006, the chief executive wrote the SP over Limin's request for an endorsement of the council for the issuance of an ECC.
On April 20, 2006, the matter was referred to the committee on public services, environmental protection and ecology. And on May 3, 2006, the City Council approved the endorsement for the issuance of an ECC to the China International Water & Electrical Corporation.
Councilor Perla Zulueta, chair of the committee on public services, environmental protection and ecology said she could not understand why the people object to such a very important project.
Zulueta added a "mere opposition" could not stop the contractor from pursuing the proposed project.
"The government is in a hurry to start the flood control project. It is not the kind of opposition that the council should entertain," she said.
She added that there might be "political undertones" on the complaint since Jadulos is the former barangay captain of Banuyao.
They could have had their objections before the council approved the issuance of an ECC, she said.
Meanwhile, Majority Floor Leader Eduardo Peñaredondo said the proposed concrete batching plant is very far from the residential area. It is along the coastal areas. He suspects the complaints must have emanated from the "placement and accommodation" of workers in the batching plant.