In its pursuit to keep our precious environment safe, I thank GreenPeace Southeast Asia for holding a local government, perhaps with notable particularity of the one in Angono, to its promise of closing its open dumpsites once and for all.
If anyone would clearly scrutinize their efforts, among the 713 open dumpsites in the Philippines,* Angono was fortunate enough to be singled out as the primary focus of the infamous environmental group in terms of targeting failed local government waste management, a fact that many in Angono ought to appreciate. Mind you, if one checks its website,** its Angono article is in the front page while no other news pertaining to the rest of garbage problems of local governments in Southeast Asia is featured!
Talk about being exclusive! I dare anyone accusing the renowned environmentalist group of being arbitrary to speak out, or else become the next target of the green wrath.
On the other hand, if it is true that a promise was made to close such open dumpsite within six months, I have to say that such promise must be kept. For if one cannot abide by a promise, it is better not to make one! It is stated above that one Lea Guerrero of Greenpeace Southeast Asia obtained a promise from the local government executive of Angono and was only trying to hold such official accountable to its promise.
As an organization, Greenpeace can neither be faulted for not understanding the appropriation/ funding issues surrounding such promise to solve a looming environmental crisis nor can it be expected to understand the slowness of government action for it only understands a promise to commit action; after all, it is unthinkable that they are politically motivated or influenced by those with political motivation. For if they are, then I am more than happy to write something about this particular organization who is supposedly protecting our precious environment.
Nonetheless, the fault lies on the one who made the promise, if it was made, that is.
Idealists do not daudle with politics nor should they interfere in it unless for the common good. By holding elected officials to keep their promise of preserving the environment, Greenpeace ensures that the people of Angono are being given an environment that promotes its well-being.
As one who is from Angono, I am heartened that Greenpeace South East Asia is giving Angono its full attention and thus, showing its concern for its residents. But I pray that it will not stop in Angono; after all, it has the whole South East Asia to worry about.
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* - "Govt eyes use of floating garbage landfills in RP," 2008.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/105537/Govt-eyes-use-of-floating-garbage-landfills-in-RP
** - Greenpeace Southeast Asia
http://www.greenpeace.org/seasia/en/
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Press Release:
Friday, August 29, 2008; 3:30 PM
Reference:
Richard R. Gappi, Public Information Office, Municipality of Angono
On Greenpeace's "citizen's arrest" on Angono Mayor Villamayor
Pure prop and grandstanding but devoid of truth
The Municipality of Angono describes Greenpeace Water Patrol's "citizen's arrest" on Hon. Mayor Aurora A. Villamayor as the highest form of grandstanding and propaganda but devoid of truth.
The environmental group issued the "arrest" this morning after holding a picket at the garbage area.
Richard R. Gappi of the Municipal Information Office said that the environmental group's act of "closing" the garbage site by blockading the entrance with steel scaffolding is against the law, disrupts and usurps the local municipality's role of managing its wastes, and a theatrical show of arrogance on the part of the respected environmental group.
"There is no inaction on the part of the local government because we are right on track of finally putting up our Material Recovery Facility. The garbage area is not a dumpsite as the Greenpeace claims but a transfer station area which is allowed by law," Gappi said.
Gappi also noted that for 6 years, the previous local administration failed to close the dumpsite. "It was only this year that Mayor Villamayor decided to finally close the dumpsite area and transform it into a transfer station area," Gappi added.
Gappi also explained that the municipality received the "commitment of closure order" from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR) and Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) last month. The commitment order also contains steps on how to rehabilitate the area which is approved by DENR and LLDA. The two agencies gave local officials four months or until November to complete the process.
"It is very unfair to say that local officials, led by Mayor Villamayor, are doing nothing. In fact, the local municipality, along with LLDA and DENR, is on the process of rehabilitating the area through the LISCOP project and we are on schedule as per commitment closure order of the two agencies. That is why, Greenpeace's action of 'closing' the garbage area and issuing a "citizen's arrest" on Mayor Villamayor bespeak of ill motives on the part of the environmental group," Gappi stressed.
Gappi also noted that Greenpeace's "citizen's arrest" on Mayor Villamayor is autocratic, arrogant and a blatant act of disregarding due process. "Greenpeace campaigner Ira Baconguis called on Mayor Villamayor over the phone and commanded the latter to proceed immediately to the transfer station area. Ms. Baconguis acted as if she were Mayor Villamayor's boss. That throws all the Good Manners and Right Conduct that Ms. Bacoguis learned from school, or the lack of it," Gappi said.
Gappi agreed with the environmental group that the Ecological and Solid Waste Management Act or RA 9003 allows citizen's suit and citizen's arrest.
"But this can only be done if an appropriate case is filed in the proper court or body. The law also provides that no case or suit can be filed after a public officer or alleged violator has been given a 30-day notice during which no appropriate action has been taken by the alleged offender. In these two instances, a citizen's suit against Mayor Villamayor is non-existent and Greenpeace never gave a 30-day notice to show its intention of suing Mayor Villamayor," Gappi explained.
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