Tarlac City mayor denies bias in favor of proposed hike for dumpsite rental

TARLAC CITY — This city’s mayor vehemently denied yesterday favoring the demand for the city government to increase by more than 200 percent its rental on a 12-hectare property owned by his lawyer’s family that is being used as an open dumpsite.

In an interview, Mayor Genaro Mendoza said the request of lawyer Blesilo Buan to increase the monthly rental on the property from P75,000 to P250,000 is in a "deadlock" before the local finance committee despite it being, as he described, "an urgent matter."

The local media stumbled on the issue while perusing official documents of the city council concerning the 100-percent fare hike being sought by tricycle operators and drivers.

Official communications between Mendoza and Buan showed the lawyer had given the city government only until last Sept. 30 to use the dumpsite should it fail to accede to the rental hike.

The property, located in the remote barangay of San Luis, has been used as a dumpsite for more than 20 years now. It was only in October 1999 though when a contract was executed between the Buans and the city government pegging the monthly rental at P75,000.

The correspondences between Mendoza and Buan were attached to the lawyer’s letter to Vice Mayor Miguel Tañedo, asking the city council "to favorably consider (the demand) until such time that another (dumpsite is) identified."

The documents were contained in the city council’s prepared agenda for its regular session last Oct. 2.

Mendoza, however, said the council members are the ones who will determine "if the proposal is proper," although he admitted that his lawyer’s request could be financially detrimental to the city government.

He said City Hall is at present compelled to use the Buans’ property because no other barangay wants to host a dumpsite. The city has 76 barangays.

In fact, he said, officials of Barangay San Juan de Mata have opposed City Hall’s plan to relocate the dumpsite to their community.

But should another dumpsite be found, Mendoza said he will immediately terminate City Hall’s contract with the Buans.

The mayor said the city government is currently spending for the dumpsite’s maintenance, although with the proposed rental hike, he added that City Hall is negotiating for the Buans to assume part of the expense.

Some city councilors, however, alleged that the Buans’ demand could be in violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act because Buan has a pecuniary interest in the city government.

The city council recently confirmed Buan’s appointment as city legal officer.