Bacolod becoming 'city of smell' feared
BACOLOD CITY – The city is on the verge of becoming a "city of smell" rather than "city of smile" once the impasse between the city government and the residents of Brgy. Felisa is not resolved the soonest possible time.
Engr. Josephus Cerna of the Department of Public Service said that 19 dump trucks were not able to dump garbage yesterday after residents blocked the entry to the dumpsite.
"If this will continue, Bacolod will surely get stink in a day or two," he said.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia yesterday urged Cong. Monico Puentevella to also think of the welfare of the 60 barangays in the city.
"He should also tell them where to put the garbage of the city now that some people there have stopped the entry of the dump trucks. He should provide us with solution rather than add to the problem," the mayor told reporters after the emergency meeting he called yesterday.
He said they have caused inconvenience to the majority of Bacolodnons whose garbage will not be collected because they have not allowed the dumptrucks to enter the village going to the dumpsite.
Leonardia said that only the Sangguniang Panlungsod has the right to close the streets. They have staged a rally without a permit and they have caused a great inconvenience because the collection of the garbage will be delayed.
Leonardia was with the Brgy. Felisa kagawads Leird Dennis Robles, Joel Lavarro, Rodrigo Tamayo and Rodel Latosa.
Leonardia said it's time that "we move forward together. We shook hands during the Jubillee celebration and during the Ramos clan reunion, Saturday. But yesterday, he was already in Felisa, on the streets with the people."
Leonardia waited for the Brgy. Kagawads of Felisa who were part of those who staged a human barricade for a peaceful negotiation. They said they will come by 1 pm and then 3 pm but they never came.
Leonardia said he will no longer come there (Brgy. Felisa) because he already went there during the public hearing.
"And besides, the atmosphere there is not appropriate for negotiations," he said.
"If they were sincere, they should have come to City Hall because I have already done my part," the mayor said.
Leonardia added: These things will not happen if there is no politician who instigated a sabotage. The Congressman wants to get the sympathy of the people of Felisa but how about the 60 barangays?
The game plan was to pressure the DENR.
Robles said the problem there now is politics. They should not generalize each decision of the youth in Felisa.
"I have the votes of the people, I have my power and I go for the common good of the people," he said.
Lavaro said they go for the welfare of the people. They should think of what will be the effects of their action to the people of Felisa.
"Mayor Leonardia did not pay us to go with him on this issue. It is our right to defend the welfare of the people," he said.
Latosa said that the reported deaths of two kids were cases of drowning and not because of the dump site.
Councilor Greg Gasataya said they recommended Brgy. Felisa as the site of the landfill because they want a continuity of operation. If the dumpsite will be transferred, it will take a year to establish a dumpsite. However, the problem is it is difficult to explain to those who refused to listen.
Leonardia said that the win-win solution is for Felisa to accept that they gave their authority on this.
Gasataya said that politics should be set aside and we must think of the welfare of Bacolodnons.
City Legal Officer Atty. Allan Zamora said what the protesters did was illegal. They will take the proper legal action on the matter.