Gasataya mulls P1M annual aid to Felisa
BACOLOD CITY – Councilor Greg Gasataya, chairman of the Committee on Environment and chairman of Task Force Clean and Green, proposed an ordinance setting aside the amount of P1 million annually for the host barangay of the city's waste disposal facility.
Gasataya said he passed the resolution as he wanted to ensure the safety and well-being of the inhabitants of Brgy. Felisa, where the city's dumpsite is situated, particularly on health, environmental and livelihood concerns.
It is also the policy of the state and the city to protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
The amount of P1 million annually shall be subject to upward adjustment every two years after its implementation to be determined by the Sangguniang Panglungsod, Gasataya's resolution states.
This is without prejudice to other financial assistance the city will provide to the host barangay.
Gasataya noted that the amount shall be used exclusively for health, environment and livelihood programs and the barangay council is the one responsible for the liquidation of the budget subject to auditing of the proper agency.
The councilor stressed they will only do what is good for the city as a whole without prejudice also to the barangay who will accept the dumpsite, as they learned from city's mistakes before.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia was dismayed when the dumpsite issue became complicated after some political quarters entered into the affairs of the city.
The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) already conducted their inspection to the site to ensure the safety of Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) wells.
However, Atty. Allan Zamora smelled politics on the entry of LWUA since the brother of Cong. Monico Puentevella is one its board of trustees.
Majority of the barangay officials of Brgy. Felisa welcomed the waste disposal facility to be situated in their barangay and it's the sentiments of Felisa people also, they said.
But some barangay officials led by Punong Barangay Perigno Aspan said they don't want it anymore. Three years is enough and it's high time for the city to look for other site most especially when the plan is sanitary landfill.