Religious group cites health hazard posed by dumpsite
BACOLOD CITY – A religious group here has issued a position paper against the health hazard posed by the Brgy. Felisa dumpsite to the people of Bacolod.
“We the members of the Catholic Lay Forum of the Diocese of Bacolod are taking a stand on the issue of the serious danger to the health and lives of the people posed by the Bacolod City dumpsite presently located at Brgy. Felisa, which is inconsistent with RA 9003. We have taken this position mainly in response to the public clamor, especially to the newspaper column of Atty. Andres Hagad, “Bottom Line”, published January 5, 2009, wherein he pointed out the serious threat to the health and lives of the populace posed by the present dumpsite,” said the 21 signatories of the said position paper headed by Mrs. Milagros Casiano.
These grave dangers are similarly presented by Mr. Alan Gensoli in his column, “Something Smells,” Negros Daily Bulletin, Jan. 5, 2009. Other media articles, as well as the vigilant advocacy of the Felisa Brgy. Council supported by civil society groups such as the Bacolod Anti-BAHA Alliance and others, have also denounced this problem over the past 2008. Public clamor to this problem is intensified considering the related issue of the alleged questionable purchase of the dumpsite by the city government.
“We in the Catholic Lay Forum, after due deliberation, publicly take this stand on this critical community issue. More particularly, we urge the Bacolod City Government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to transfer as soon as possible, the city dumpsite to a suitable area far from the present Brgy. Felisa area where the BACIWA wells and distribution lines are located. One site which had been studied well is in Brgy. Cabug. We also urge all sectors and the citizenry of Bacolod to support this move and hopefully resolve this grave danger to the health and lives of our people.
Bishop Vicente Navarra, D.D., Bishop of Bacolod, has endorsed the initiative of the Lay Catholics who organized the movement known as the Catholic Lay Forum.
“They have signified to offer their voluntary services to work in educating the grassroots, especially by promoting wholesome political values and the much needed impetus to address social concerns that adversely affect the quality of life of our people, the stability of our democracy and the development and progress of our country, starting from our very own Negros society,” said Bishop Navarra.
They plan to work as a group in coordination with the Social Action Office of the Diocese.
“This endorsement carries my approval and moral support in favor of this group. Also, my prayers that more lay Catholics in our diocese may be inspired to join this group so that social awareness and political will among our fellow Negrosanons may be aroused, turning them into responsible, concerned and deeply involved citizens – one people united as brothers and sisters under Almighty God, our heavenly Father,” Bishop Navarra said.