A lawyer is asking the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) in Western Visayas to issue a cease and desist order and close a dumpsite in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.
Lawyer Rudyard Hipe, in a letter to EMB 6 regional director Ramar Niel Pascua, said the Cauayan local government has procured land in Panas-an, Brgy. Isio, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, for a garbage dumpsite.
“The site where the landfill is now located and operated without due regard to the health and safety of the proximate residential areas is clearly inappropriate and revolting to the conscience of the common man,” he said.
“It is thus fitting that a cease and desist order be issued, and ultimately, the site will be closed for its apparent unsuitability due to the existing topographical and social conditions of the area,” Hipe added.
Hipe said adjacent landowners and residents are complaining that they were not consulted on the plan to establish a dumpsite in the area.
The property is not completely fenced in and on Thursday, April 21, some residents already witnessed a sizeable amount of garbage dumped at the site, he said.
“I am aware that local government units are now required to establish sanitary landfills, but mere observation of the area suggests that the Cauayan municipal government has ignominiously selected this site, and has commenced the operation of an open dumpsite”, Hipe said.
Hospital wastes, such as PPEs and used syringes, amongst others, were indiscriminately thrown at the site, which is a clear violation of the law, he said.
“Worse, the area is wide-open to scavengers, and it would not take long before illnesses and contagious infections will be a regular occurrence in the community brought about by the operation of this open dumpsite,” Hipe said.
He asked Pascua if necessary permits were issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to the local government after a thorough study and proper inspection.
The site acquired by the municipality is less than 200 meters from highway, a prime agricultural land, and the garbage can be readily seen from the main thoroughfare, he said.
It is located approximately within a 200-meter radius from the nearest residential areas, is adjacent to a cemetery, and is approximately less than 800 meters away from the Cauayan District Hospital, Hipe added.
The site is also approximately 200 meters from a nearby school and church, 500 meters from the beach and is prone to flooding, he said.
The Cauayan mayor could not be reached for comment on Friday.*