Injunction out vs Semirara landfill

An Antique judge has issued a writ of preliminary injunction against the controversial sanitary landfill project on Semirara Island which incidentally was scrapped by President Estrada following a public outcry.

Regional Trial Court Judge Sylvia Jurao, acting on the petition of the "United Antiqueños," said the dumping of garbage from Metro Manila on the island would result in "grave and irreparable injury and injustice" to the plaintiffs who have "a constitutional right to a healthy and balanced environment."

In other developments:

• The state-owned Clark Development Corp. (CDC) wants a German firm to rush a 100-hectare sanitary landfill in Barangay Kalangitan, Capas, Tarlac for the garbage of Central Luzon and possibly, Metro Manila.

Acting CDC president Roge-lio Singson said the landfill can accommodate 700,000 tons of garbage per year, or 2,000 tons per day for 25 years.

• Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Antonio Cerilles disclosed yesterday that his department has given an environmental compliance certificate to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to operate the San Mateo, Rizal landfill.

The Antique court’s ruling effectively quashed the government’s attempt to proceed with the Semirara project.

The Office of the Solicitor General took issue against the court’s issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO), saying it was prohibited from doing so under Republic Act 8975.

The OSG, in behalf of the MMDA and the Greater Metro Manila Solid Waste Management Committee, also argued that the Antiqueños’ petition had no constitutional basis to merit the issuance of a TRO.

Jurao, however, said the Semirara project is not a vital infrastructure project of the national government because it will only benefit Metro Manila.

The judge also cited the environmental and health risks the landfill project poses.

The petitioners are asking the court to issue a permanent injunction against the project. — With Ding Cervantes, Ric Sapnu and Jose Aravilla