24 August 2005
Awai, Lobong folk still wary of Dagupan’s real intention
SAN JACINTO --- Residents of barangays Awai and Lobong here are wary and not readily swallowing moves by the city government of Dagupan to project its intention of turning a 30-hectare land the city purchased in hilly Awai into a watershed and reforestation area only.
Four years ago, after Dagupan bought the lot, residents here mounted massive protests on learning that the city planned to develop the area into a big sanitary landfill for its garbage.
The deep resentment and suspicion of the barangayfolk was revived two weeks ago when City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, accompanied by their mayor, Rodolfo Columbres visited the place to plant tree seedlings preparatory to a massive tree planting by city employees in order to create a watershed and forest park in Awai.
Maria Banda, barangay chief of Lobong, next-door to Awai, said her constituents believe the tree-planting could only be a smokescreen for the ultimate plan to push through with the landfill project in the area to accommodate Dagupan’s overflowing garbage.
Banda cited as basis for their suspicion the fact that barangay officials were brought to San Fernando City, La Union last July 21 to visit the sanitary landfill project there to gently persuade them to give up their opposition to the Dagupan project.
“We were not impressed with what we saw because even before we reached the place, we already smelled the garbage,” she said, adding that their people will never allow Awai to be the dumping ground of garbage from Dagupan.
Explaining why Lobong seems to be very much against it when it is in neighboring Awai where the lot is located, Banda pointed out that garbage coming from Dagupan enroute to Awai will be pasing thru their barangay.
The barangay residents also fear that garbage lecheate from decaying matters might flow to Lobong and pollute their groundwater.
Four years ago, after Dagupan bought the lot, residents here mounted massive protests on learning that the city planned to develop the area into a big sanitary landfill for its garbage.
The deep resentment and suspicion of the barangayfolk was revived two weeks ago when City Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, accompanied by their mayor, Rodolfo Columbres visited the place to plant tree seedlings preparatory to a massive tree planting by city employees in order to create a watershed and forest park in Awai.
Maria Banda, barangay chief of Lobong, next-door to Awai, said her constituents believe the tree-planting could only be a smokescreen for the ultimate plan to push through with the landfill project in the area to accommodate Dagupan’s overflowing garbage.
Banda cited as basis for their suspicion the fact that barangay officials were brought to San Fernando City, La Union last July 21 to visit the sanitary landfill project there to gently persuade them to give up their opposition to the Dagupan project.
“We were not impressed with what we saw because even before we reached the place, we already smelled the garbage,” she said, adding that their people will never allow Awai to be the dumping ground of garbage from Dagupan.
Explaining why Lobong seems to be very much against it when it is in neighboring Awai where the lot is located, Banda pointed out that garbage coming from Dagupan enroute to Awai will be pasing thru their barangay.
The barangay residents also fear that garbage lecheate from decaying matters might flow to Lobong and pollute their groundwater.
