Investigate ‘underground’ dumpsite, Tiñga orders

Taguig Mayor Sigfrido "Freddie" Tiñga formed yesterday a composite team to immediately investigate allegations that private contractors have been dumping garbage near the shore of Laguna Lake in Barangay Napindan.

Mayor Tiñga sent out a strong directive to Municipal Health Officer Dr. Rolando Paac to check the veracity of reports in media about the alleged "underground" dumping of garbage in Napindan.

Paac will lead the composite team of representatives of the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), Municipal Health Office and the Taguig police.

"I want a full report in 72 hours. The protection of our environment and the health of our constituents are our top priorities," Tiñga directed Paac.

The mayor stressed that he is ready to come out with a cease and desist order for anyone found to be dumping garbage in the area, if the reports are confirmed by the investigation. "We will even take legal action against these people if we have to," Tiñga said.

Meanwhile, some 5,000 residents living near the 50-hectare dumpsite in the boundaries of Taguig, Taytay Rizal and Pasig City urged yesterday the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to close it down.

The residents also appealed to Pasig City Mayor Soledad Eusebio to take necessary actions on their problem.

According to the residents, the leachate of the garbage goes into Laguna Lake which is near the dumpsite.

"Tinatabunan nga nila yan ng lupa kasi controlled dumpsite daw yan, kaso tumatagas ang katas ng basura papunta sa Laguna Lake," a resident said.

The residents are worried of an epidemic if the dumping of garbage continues. "Sana aksyonan ni Mayor Eusebio (Soledad) ito kasi palala na ang sitwasyon dito," the residents added.

On the other hand, MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. ordered an investigation on the said dumpsite. Abalos, however, admitted that he has no knowledge of the dumpsite and learned about it only from the newspapers.

"What we have are those dumpsites in the nearby provinces, we converted them into a controlled one with proper implementation of its requirement," Abalos stressed, adding that the MMDA financed the maintenance of the site after dumping some Metro garbage.

Earlier, Taguig Rep. Alan Cayetano who disclosed the dumpsite urged the Congress to conduct a probe on the matter.

Cayetano said that IPM Construction Company dumps garbage in the place. IPM is the garbage contractor of Pasig and Taguig. – Non Alquitran