A mountain of waste remains an eyesore along Buri Road in Barangay Mandalagan, where ongoing development is taking place. The area was previously used by the city government as a dumpsite.*BCCO photo
The City Legal Office (CLO) has summoned the Environmental Management Bureau–Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) to a technical conference on Wednesday, August 12, to shed light on the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) for several properties being developed along Buri Road in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.
City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu raised concerns over the excavation, handling, transport, and disposal of waste materials recovered from the old dumpsite, particularly the procedures undertaken by developers following the approval of the ECCs by the EMB.
“We should come up with a clear disposal plan. That’s why we are calling on the EMB because they should be at the forefront of protecting the environment and our people. But why did they allow the excavation of the garbage and leave it out in the open? We will check the documentation because the issuance of the ECC was highly questionable,” Chiu said.
A summary report previously submitted by the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) to the CLO showed that a Stoppage Order had earlier been issued against one of the site developers for allegedly illegally dumping solid waste from the old dumpsite, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The report also identified several matters requiring coordinated technical and regulatory clarification, including the characterization and volume of recovered materials; appropriate excavation and handling procedures; the legality and suitability of proposed receiving sites; environmental safeguards during hauling and disposal; and the identification of a lawful and technically acceptable final disposal arrangement.
In a letter addressed to EMB-NIR Regional Director Vicente Losbañes, the CLO also requested Engr. Victor Thomas Ureta to clarify the factual circumstances, technical recommendations, and subsequent actions arising from the earlier proceedings, including the issuance of the ECC for the project.
“We wanted to know why they (EMB) allowed the excavation of the old dumpsite without clear plans and clear regulations. You cannot just open an old dumpsite, but the EMB allowed it through the issuance of an ECC,” Chiu added.
Representatives from key city departments, including BENRO, the City Planning and Development Office, the Office of the Building Official, as well as the project developer and other concerned offices and parties, are expected to attend the technical conference.
The city aims to establish a common factual and technical understanding of the matter and formulate a definite, written, and implementable plan to prevent further unauthorized disposal and ensure compliance with Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, the conditions of the ECCs, and other applicable environmental laws and regulations, the press release said.*
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