Show proof that I gained from dumpsite acquisition
BACOLOD CITY -- Councilor Greg Gasataya, Chairman of the City Clean and Green Coordinating Team, challenged Bacolod Cong. Monico O. Puentevella to show proof that he benefited from the acquisition of the P23.8 million property in Brgy. Felisa to be used as a new dumpsite.
Gasataya's challenge was in reaction to the congressman's allegation that he was able to build a new house out of the "gains" he got from the purchase of the P23.8 million dumpsite property from Dynasty Agricultural Corp.
"The burden of proof is in the Congressman. He should show his documents to prove that I'm the owner of the house and I will also show the documents to prove that I am not the owner," Gasataya said.
Puentevella claimed that from the ashes of the garbage, there came the three big houses by three councilors of Bacolod, alleging that they benefited from the purchase of the dumpsite property in Brgy. Felisa.
"It is easier said than proven. I dare him to prove it,"Gasataya said.
Gasataya said that he only inherited the problem on the dumpsite. He cannot dispute the fact that the city had lapses in the management of the existing dumpsite.
"I only came in the picture last December and the problem was already there. But now, we are doing the best we can to implement corrective measures in the management of the dumpsite," he said.
Gasataya also showed a copy of Brgy Felisa Council Resolution No. 31, series of 2004, which endorses to the Honorable City Mayor of Bacolod Evelio R. Leonardia through the Honorable Sangguniang Panlungsod to put up a Solid Waste Management system - controlled dumpsite at Hda. Hagnaya, Purok Maabi-Abihon of the Gallespin family et. al. property as well as at Hda. Akol, Purok Acacia of the Lopez family property both in Brgy. Felisa, Bacolod City.
In that resolution, there was no mention of a specific time frame as to the use of the areas as dumpsite of the city, Gasataya said.
Moreover, the residents of Felisa will soon file a case against the City Mayor and those who violated their rights.
They will ask assistance of young lawyers to help them in their battle against City Hall.
They will seek a TRO on the further use of the dumpsite and file a case in violation of RA 9003 and Clean Water Act, said Kagawad Ma. Fe Tresfuentes along with Brgy. Capt. Perigrino Aspan and several purok presidents yesterday.
Brgy. Felisa Kagawad Felipe Hilado also said that Mayor Leonardia and Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson offered him three employment slots -- 2 job orders and 1 plantilla, if he will go with them on the dumpsite issue.
He said the Kagawads who changed their stand on the dumpsite issue were the first to get invited. And he came next, Hilado said.
He was only surprised that his fellow Kagawads were already heading on a different direction towards the dumpsite issue.
Hilado named Kagawad Joel Lavarro who showed much interest in fencing the existing dumpsite because he was first opposing the plan of the city to use Felisa as the permanent dumpsite.
But suddenly, he changed direction.
Lavarro earlier said he is for the welfare of the people, thus he favored the dumpsite to be permanently placed in his barangay.
Lavarro denied he was paid.
Hilado on his part rejected the offer.
"The interest of my constituents should be aboved my personal interest. I am not saying they have received something from the Mayor. But based on my personal experience, I was offered job slots," he said.
Brgy. Capt. Perigrino Aspan said City Hall should not go legal in its argument because what they did was also illegal.