Paz counters claims she neglected trash woes

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City government’s solid waste management program collected P310,000 from citation tickets issued to 1,009 violators starting January to August 2015.

Mayor Paz Radaza said the fines collected for the first eight months reflect the city’s efforts to guarantee proper waste disposal, contrary to the allegations of businessman Efrain Pelaez Jr., her political opponent.

Radaza said she is not threatened by Pelaez’ administrative complaint. The latter claimed that the mayor neglected Republic Act 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002 by not addressing the garbage problems of the city.

“Sige lang, I’ll wait for that (the case),” Radaza told reporters.

Pelaez said he will file a new case after his first complaint was dismissed last year.

Last October 2012, the businessman filed his first complaint in relation to RA 9003 against Radaza and 29 barangay captains except Basak Barangay Captain Isabelito Darnayla, but it was dismissed in January 2014 due to a lack of evidence.

The verdict of dismissing the case was approved by the Office of the Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Pio Dargantes in a 39-page decision called the allegations of Pelaez as “bare and sweeping.”

The recent decision added that Pelaez failed to indicate who took the footages and when the videos were taken.

Meanwhile, Radaza could not say that the city is totally free from garbage but claimed there are improvements in keeping the city clean.

Within eight months, 121 information campaigns were conducted in 19 barangays and 109 sitios, with 1,466 participants, based on records of the Solid Waste Management Office.

“I cannot say we are totally free from indiscriminately thrown trash, but there has been a great improvement. And we are really enforcing the law,” she said, slamming Pelaez’ earlier statements.

“Before siya monga-nga sa iyahang baba, tan-awon sa na niya iyahang kilid,” Radaza said.

As for the question of who is the legitimate member of Liberal Party in Lapu-Lapu, Radaza said she is hopeful that presumptive LP standard bearer Mar Roxas will support her.

“Most likely, ako ang suportahan. Ako ma’y incumbent,” Radaza said.

Pelaez earlier said he will run under the LP ticket.  (FREEMAN)