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Itogon dads no stand on BWSP

ITOGON, Benguet (Oct. 17) — “There is no official stand yet,” town officials here clarified in a press conference today that there is no conflict as far as their respective stand on the bulk water supply project (BWSP) of the Benguet Corporation (BC) is concerned.

Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Presiding officer and Vice-mayor Noel Ngolob said that everyone is entitled to an opinion and has the right to know and voice one’s opinions. “But the council has to communicate, elucidate and explain to the people the issues surrounding the BWSP before coming out with a united stand,” he told the tri-media.

Ngolob, however, reiterated that the SB has endorsed two resolutions on the bulk water issue, as he mentioned that Itogon must first benefit from its resources before there are to be shared with other local government units.

On April 4 this year, the Itogon council passed Resolution’s No. 057 and 058. In the said twin resolutions on the bulk water project, the councilors asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-DENR) not to issue an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) to BC’s BWSP because of various legal, technical, social and environmental issues raised by Itogon residents and local officials. They also informed the BWD of the Itogon First Priority Policy.

Ngolob said the BC representatives came and promised to satisfy the needs of Itogon first. He also disclosed that a special committee has been created to ascertain objectively and categorically such issues as potability, rehabilitation plan, public consultation and many others.

Councilor Oscar Camantiles said that there are still issues in Itogon which have to be addressed. He added that displacement, tenurial instruments and the people’s livelihood are only among other issues which BC and the council should ensure before entering into a memorandum of agreement on the BWSP.

Mayor Mario Godio was quoted on several occasions that it is not true that Itogon is against the endorsement of a BWSP for Baguio City provided BC pays taxes directly to the municipality, and that the town receives the first drop, among others.

The SB members said it is not yet in the best position to make a stand.

BC, the proponent and lone qualified bidder of the BWSP, claimed it has conducted consultations in Itogon. The SB, however, is still mapping out a process with which it could call all stakeholders to talk on the issues. # Lyn V. Ramo for NORDIS

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