Benguet, La Union to file kalikasan writ vs Baguio dump

TUBA, Benguet, Philippines - Officials of Benguet and La Union provinces are set to file a petition for a writ of kalikasan with the Supreme Court (SC) next week to compel Baguio City to close down and rehabilitate the Irisan dump.

Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan, who led the signing of the writ yesterday, said he will personally deliver the document to Baguio officials, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Supreme Court. He added that he hopes the SC will issue a temporary environmental protection order.

He said residents living near the dump “attest that it is still very much open” despite Baguio City officials’ declaration that the dump has been closed. Lawyers Francisca Claver, Pablito Sanidad, Noe Villanueva and George Pucay said they will submit affidavits to back up their claim.

The petitioners are seeking redress after tons of garbage from the dump buried alive a sexagenarian woman, three of her grandchildren, and two others in Tuba during typhoon Mina on Aug. 27. Health officials said the garbage avalance contaminated nearby water systems. 

Cosalan said they want Baguio officials to sit down with them and craft a comprehensive plan to face the problem. Baguio Rep. Bernardo Vergara and Mayor Mauricio Domogan have been insisting they are finding ways to solve the problem and are assisting Tuba residents affected by the disaster.

Domogan said he will react once he gets a copy of the writ.