Garganera vows to block P10M budget for limestone

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera is determined to shoot down the proposal of Mayor Tomas Osmeña to purchase P10 million worth of limestone or anapog for the rehabilitation of the service road of the Inayawan landfill.

The City Council deferred the approval of the budget for the purchase of limestone and referred it to the committee on environment chaired by Garganera while waiting for explanation from the Department of Public Services.

The budget was charged to the city’s Accelerated Social Amelioration Program.

Garganera said DPS chief Roberto Cabarrubias also failed to convince the members of the council on the necessity of the purchase.

 “I have to maintain my stand that the reopening of the landfill is illegal,” Garganera said.

He also found it unnecessary considering that the landfill is already due for closure.

Osmeña agreed on Monday during the hearing of the petition for Writ of Kalikasan filed by Garganera before the Court of Appeals that dumping of garbage at the landfill should be stopped.

The mayor asked the CA to give the city until January 1 to look for an alternative dumpsite.

Garganera said the mayor can negotiate with the private landfill in Consolacion to address the problem.

Osmeña, however, does not want to negotiate with the private landfill in Consolacion because of the alleged anomalous transaction that his predecessor entered into with its owner. (FREEMAN)