Landfill linked to Laguna town polls, tagged as ‘existential threat’
ELECTIONS composite image from Inquirer file/stock photos
MANILA, Philippines — A 204-year-old town in Laguna, close to the foothills of Mt. Banahaw, with a population of less than 30,000, is now facing what townsfolk say is an existential threat—a landfill approved by the town council and being linked to an effort by one of its proponents to become mayor.
This was pointed out in a complaint filed by a resident before the Office of the Ombudsman on March 14, alleging that the council of Magdalena, Laguna, violated Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and other laws.
Richard Cavosora said he filed the case against the officials because of the “irregular and improper passage of a resolution to reclassify [an] agricultural land for landfill purposes, and the subsequent override of the mayoral veto without ensuring compliance and environmental safeguards.”
This, as on Nov. 29, 2023, the council passed a resolution that reclassified 3.2 hectares of agricultural land in Barangay Sabang to commercial use as a “sanitary landfill,” even without critical discussions, especially on concerns regarding its immediacy to both a watershed and agricultural areas.
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Based on a document obtained by INQUIRER.net, the resolution was signed by all those present in the session—the vice mayor and eight councilors.
Magdalena Mayor Pedro Bucal vetoed the resolution on Dec. 11, 2023 because of these reasons, which were stressed in the complaint filed by Cavosora:
- An anomalous Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC)
- Lack of Municipal Development and Planning Coordinator (MPDC) certificate required for an ECC
- Opposition from local business and farmers
One new landfill?
Bucal pointed out in his veto message that there is already a sanitary landfill in Barangay Alipit. “May kapasidad [itong] tanggapin ang basura ng ating bayan at [mga] karatig na bayan sa ating distrito (It has the capacity to accommodate our waste and those from proximate towns).”
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office of Laguna had told the Philippine Information Agency that when it comes to waste produced, the towns in the province are only in Category 1, which indicates that they only produce “a small amount of waste, maximum of 15 tonnes per day.”
The veto, however, was overridden on Jan. 16, 2024 by seven councilors, who made the decision based on a contested certification issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and a supposed legal opinion from the legal officer of the provincial government.
Based on the council resolution the application for reclassification included these documents:
- Certification for Land Use Reclassification of Agricultural Land from the DA
- Certification of Non-Issuance of Notice of Coverage from the Department of Agrarian Reform
- Contract of Tenancy
- Quit Claim Waiver
- Deed of Assignment of Tenancy Rights to Land
‘Requirements not met’
But Bucal said that in RA 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, some of the minimum requirements for the establishment of a sanitary landfill are (1) consistency with the overall land use plan of the local government unit and (2) consideration of the sensitivities of residents.
As pointed out in the complaint, the reclassification did not have a compliance certificate from the MPDC, which is meant to ensure that it is aligned with the LGU’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Likewise, Cavosora said there was “insufficient public consultation and committee deliberation[s].”
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While it was stated in the resolution that there was public consultation and that the required clearances were met, it was alleged in the complaint that the council’s “superficial assessment recklessly disregarded the potentially detrimental impact of the reclassification,” especially on a carabao-based enterprise development program.
Cavosora is himself a businessman engaged in carabao-based dairy enterprise and a former board chairman of the Magdalena Agriculture Cooperative, which is an active partner of the Philippine Carabao Center in the implementation of its program on the development of the carabao-based products industry.
He said he filed the complaint “in the interest of protecting the environment, sustainably developing the town’s carabao dairy industry, ensuring adherence to proper land use and zoning regulations, upholding the rule of law, and preventing misconduct, abuse of authority, and corruption by public officers and employees.”
Election bid
As alleged by the complainant, on Nov. 3, 2023, or three weeks before the approval of the resolution that reclassified 3.2 hectares of agricultural land to commercial use, one individual launched a Facebook page, which later transformed into an electoral slate that included most of those who signed the resolution.
The slate is led by Dario Lapada Jr., who is seeking Magdalena’s highest office.
Born in Maguindanao, Lapada was previously one of the nominees of the Cancer Alleviation Network on Care, Education and Rehabilitation, or Cancer Partylist, before establishing his presence in Magdalena, introducing himself as a doctor, businessman, and an NGO official, Cavosora said.
The alliance between Lapada and the council officials who are now part of his slate
is “concerning,” as pointed out by Cavosora, who stressed how this, as well as possible interventions, “coincided with procedural lapses, questionable clearances, and alleged attempts to influence local politics.”
INQUIRER.net has reached out to Lapada through his official and Tulong Magdalena Facebook accounts for comment but has not yet received a response.
“With the Ombudsman now reviewing the complaint, the legality of the land use reclassification — and the integrity of those who approved it — hang in the balance. The trash site and Lapada’s candidacy present an existential threat to Magdalena,” said Cavosora.
