City denies lot owner a permit to fence lot

A landowner in sitio Uldog, barangay Cansojong in Talisay City has been denied a permit to fence a property in the same barangay due to complaints from neighbors who accuse her of transforming her lot into a private dumpsite.

The city, reacting to her neighbors' complaint and later on discovering that her property lacked a drainage system, has ordered landowner Mrs. Manuel Go Teng to discontinue the practice. The City Planning and Development Coordinator Office denied Teng's application.

Earlier this month, the same residents complained to Mayor Socrates Fernandez about the dust coming from Teng's lot. They claimed the owner had allowed filling materials to be unloaded into her property causing dust to fly into their homes. They also alleged that the area began to reek of rotten things as garbage was dumped soon after.

As alleged, Teng operates a hotel and that garbage from the establishment could be taken to the place.

After a review of the complaint, City Legal Officer Aurora Econg ordered the concerned departments to check the site.

Fire Marshal Felipe Canillas submitted his report on June 19, stating that the place has been converted into a dumping site and labeled the plastic materials found there as "high hazards." This means the materials could easily catch fire, he said, adding that any fire could spread to the nearby houses. This part of the barangay is considered a high-density area.

Canillas also noted the presence of scavengers in the lot.

City Health Officer Lino Alazando has ordered Teng to temporarily stop the dumping of garbage into the area until she has secured a sanitary permit and clearances from the HLURB and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. She has until July 8 to comply with this order.

The City Planning and Development Coordinator Christine Homez, in her report, stated that Teng had violated Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Waste Management Act for discriminately disposing of solid waste, open burning of waste, unauthorized removal of recyclable materials intended for collection by persons in authority.

The CPDC inspection team also noted that Teng's property produces "dust particles combined with offensive smell."

In a meeting held last Monday, City Legal Officer Aurora Econg ordered Teng "to clean up today (June 26) up to July 15 and that any dumping activities "should be stopped immediately." - Liv G. Campo