Yap worries over Acenas’ silence on call for talks on trash woes

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

XAVIER University president Fr. Roberto Yap has raised concerns over Vice Mayor Caesar Ian Acenas’s inaction in connection with his request for a dialogue on the poor state of the city dump and on the dangers it poses on the city.

Fr. Yap, who chairs city hall’s Solid Waste Management Board, said he repeatedly sent letters to Acenas and the city council to ask for a meeting on the implementation of a solid waste management program but there was no response.

Yap said the problem about the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Carmen could become costly on the part of the city and result in deaths unless local officials acted on it immediately.

“Unsanitary na gyud kaayo ang atong dumpsite, piligro na gyud kaayo sa public health,” he said.

For years, the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) has repeatedly been calling on city hall to close down the city dump and open a new one. The Bureau said it has long exceeded its capacity and the toxic build-up poses serious health and environmental risks, and may even cause explosions and fires.

Fr. Yap has written to Acenas and the city council twice, first in Jan. 22 and second, in May 22, to bring the problem to the atention of the local legislature.

“We are earnestly asking the time of the honorable members of the city council to reflect on the dire need of the city to address the crucial issues and concerns with regards to efficient solid waste generation disposal,” reads part of his Jan. 22 letter to Acenas.

He also sought the approval of a sufficient budget for city hall’s solid waste management program. “May you reconsider with urgency and compassion for the citizenry the allocation for the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Program because, as pointed out in this letter, we are talking in this instance about life and death of Kagay-anons.”

In his May 22 letter, this time addressed to city council secretary Arturo de San Miguel, Yap requested for a dialogue with city council members.

Reads part of the second letter: “We would like to request a dialogue with the members of the City Council in their most convenient time to present and discuss the dire needs of the city relative to Solid Waste Management in order to address the urgent concern of solid waste generation and disposal… We hope to hear your response soon.”

Yap then wrote down his contact number, and then ended his second letter with, “We appreciate with thanks for your favorable consideration on this request.” The Roman Catholic priest said he has yet to receive a response.