Barangay chief bolts opposition, joins Paz

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay captain in Lapu-Lapu City and members of the barangay council, formerly identified with the opposition, yesterday joined the administration of Mayor Paz Radaza.

Barangay Basak captain Isabelo “Belong” Darnayla, known as a political enemy of Lone District Congressman Arturo “Boy” Radaza and the administration of Mayor Radaza, yesterday attended the Association of Barangay Councils general assembly called by its president barangay Pajo captain Leo Mercado.

Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong and members of the city council of Lapu-Lapu welcomed Darnayla and the barangay council members who took their oath before Mayor Radaza.

Darnayla told reporters he and the members of the barangay council decided to join the administration of Mayor Radaza for the good of the people of his barangay.

Darnayla said the differences between him and Radaza had affected the development of the barangay as well as the welfare of the residents.

“Nakita nato nga importante gayud kaayo nga aduna kita’y maayong relasyon tali sa atong dakbayan gumilkan kay daghan man nga proyekto ang mahimo,” said Darnayla.

Radaza, on the other hand, said she welcomes Darnayla and members of his council to her administration.

She said they may have differences “politically” in the past but personally “wala gyud problema kanila.”

Radaza said she reached out to Darnayla for the good of the people of barangay Basak.

Radaza’s daughter, Aileen, who is seeking a congressional post, welcomed the development.

Barangay in Talisay says no to crematorium

Barangay Dumlog council yesterday rejected the latest proposal of a company to operate a crematorium outside the public cemetery that is situated between barangays Poblacion and Dumlog.

Barangay captain Charles Basillote, who also sits as ex-officio at the city council, said the seven members of the council have denied with finality last January 6 the request of Dr. Andrew Quijano, the owner of the crematorium that is reportedly being constructed.

Some residents had raised concerns over the matter.

Lawyer Haide Orbiso also opposes the construction of a crematorium.

Quijano, owner of Golden Eye Inc., wishes to develop the 2-hectare property into a cemetery where a crematorium would also be constructed.

Quijano had allegedly built crematorium without securing a permit for its construction. 

During the session, Basillote said there are four requirements that have to be met before the council issues a clearance to operate to Quijano.

Required are a building permit clearance, a licensing clearance, a barangay resolution authorizing it to operate a crematorium,and clearance to operate a memorial park. 

Of the four, Basillote said Quijano only presented a building permit clearance and a licensing clearance.

This means, Basillote said, that Quijano failed to present the other two requirements, the basis of the Dumlog council’s disapproval. 

Basillote clarified the council is not against the construction of a cemetery in the area but totally against the construction of a crematorium, which normally is built far from densely populated areas because of the presence of harmful chemicals during cremation through combustion. 

Basillote said the construction was started without consulting the residents.

The developer had already acquired a Certificate of Non-Coverage, which negates the need for the issuance of an ECC.

DENR-Administrative Order No. 2003-30 which governs the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the Philippine Environment Impact Statement (EIS) System, Article I Section 3 defines that Certificate of Non-Coverage is “a certification issued by EMB certifying that based on the submitted project description, the project is not covered by the EIS System and is not required to secure an ECC.” â€“ Garry B. Lao (FREEMAN)