bulk water 05-04-24

	NORDIS WEEKLY April 24, 2005
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Baguio mayor urges bulk water reso recall
BAGUIO CITY (April 20) — Baguio City Mayor Braulio Yaranon called on the city council to recall Resolution No. 005, series of 2003 which supports the Bulk Water Supply Project (BWSP). The Baguio Water District Board of Directors (BWD-BoD) voted 3:2:1 in favor of the BWSP. This spurred reactions from local opposition groups led by Pro-Consumer, Courage, and the Itogon Inter-Barangay Alliance (IIB-A). The BC intends to construct the BWSP’s water reservoir in mining-ravaged and dammed Itogon town in Benguet. Formal awarding of the project, however, did not take place. In a document obtained by NORDIS, Yaranon “strongly recommended” the recall of the said resolution following Councilor Pinky Rondez-Chan’s privilege speech rejecting the project in last week’s council session. In his letter to the council dated April 19, the mayor cited the 1987 Constitution which “guarantees the citizenry’s right to health and a healthful ecology”. Yaranon asserted that the said guarantee is self-implementing and that local government units (LGUs) are obliged to protect, promote, and enhance public health. “The attempt to bring in bulk water stored in abandoned mine tunnels and mining areas, which by scientific examination has been established to be contaminated with mercury, cadmium, manganese, and other toxic elements, should be resolutely opposed”, Yaranon said. Chie Galvez of Pro-Consumer meanwhile commended the mayor’s move, considering the issue’s “political nature”. Galvez said the mayor has earlier stated his position on the issue, but the council’s position would matter more importantly. The council’s endorsement of the project is crucial, and if the resolution is recalled, the BWSP will not be operational. According to Yaranon, the city filed formal opposition with the BWD relative to the BWSP. “Public interest and welfare demand that all of us in the city government join hands to oppose the BWSP now pending approval by the BWD-BoD”, the mayor said. # ATB for NORDIS
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	NORDIS WEEKLY April 24, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Baguio mayor urges bulk water reso recall
BAGUIO CITY (April 20) — Baguio City Mayor Braulio Yaranon called on the city council to recall Resolution No. 005, series of 2003 which supports the Bulk Water Supply Project (BWSP). The Baguio Water District Board of Directors (BWD-BoD) voted 3:2:1 in favor of the BWSP. This spurred reactions from local opposition groups led by Pro-Consumer, Courage, and the Itogon Inter-Barangay Alliance (IIB-A). The BC intends to construct the BWSP’s water reservoir in mining-ravaged and dammed Itogon town in Benguet. Formal awarding of the project, however, did not take place. In a document obtained by NORDIS, Yaranon “strongly recommended” the recall of the said resolution following Councilor Pinky Rondez-Chan’s privilege speech rejecting the project in last week’s council session. In his letter to the council dated April 19, the mayor cited the 1987 Constitution which “guarantees the citizenry’s right to health and a healthful ecology”. Yaranon asserted that the said guarantee is self-implementing and that local government units (LGUs) are obliged to protect, promote, and enhance public health. “The attempt to bring in bulk water stored in abandoned mine tunnels and mining areas, which by scientific examination has been established to be contaminated with mercury, cadmium, manganese, and other toxic elements, should be resolutely opposed”, Yaranon said. Chie Galvez of Pro-Consumer meanwhile commended the mayor’s move, considering the issue’s “political nature”. Galvez said the mayor has earlier stated his position on the issue, but the council’s position would matter more importantly. The council’s endorsement of the project is crucial, and if the resolution is recalled, the BWSP will not be operational. According to Yaranon, the city filed formal opposition with the BWD relative to the BWSP. “Public interest and welfare demand that all of us in the city government join hands to oppose the BWSP now pending approval by the BWD-BoD”, the mayor said. # ATB for NORDIS
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