Kagawads deny asking money from haulers

Four councilmen of barangay Kalunasan want to clear their names following allegations that the barangay council allegedly demanded money from a hauling operation in the barangay.

In yesterday's issue of The Freeman, Elizabeth Diano, caretaker of the hauling operation of a certain Fernando San Ramon was quoted as saying that the barangay council demanded P100 for each truck that carried limestone from a quarry.

"Ang problema ani kay ni-demand man gyud na sila nga mangayo sila og tag P100 matag truck maka-haul og anapog, pero nibalibad mi kay ang among makaya tag-P50 lang matag truck," Diano allegedly said.

But councilmen Edelito Mabano, Aristeo Anadia and Ma. Hermosa Babisay visited The Freeman yesterday to deny that they made such demands. They said Diano should name those who allegedly made the demands so that their names will be cleared.

"Pakauwaw man na namo. Ingon pa unya kurakot na lang ta," Babisay said.

The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 ordered the temporary stoppage of the hauling operation for alleged lack of permit from different government agencies.

Edward Malahay, a mining engineer of MGB tasked to verify the reported quarrying operation in lower Kalunasan, said they found some violations committed by the owner of the site development.

Among the violations allegedly committed by the hauling operator and owner of the development are the lack of special disposal permit and hauling permit requirements. This is also aside from the lack of Environmental Compliance Certificate from DENR.

"For the meantime, ato lang una ipa-hold ni. As to the extent of the penalties, dili pa nato ma-determine until mahuman ang among report pero this is purely administrative liabilities," Malahay said.

Aside from the three councilmen, the other members of the barangay council include Ramon Tiong, Jaime Manatad, Oliver Ocampo, Michael Homecillo and Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman Charmaine Homecillo. - Joeberth M. Ocao/BRP