Chiong hits back at political rivals

CEBU, Philippines — Former Naga City mayor Valdemar Chiong lashed back at his political opponents for allegedly using the landslide tragedy that killed at least 78 people in Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tinaan to advance their political interest.

Chiong, who is running for mayor in the 2019 elections, said his political opponents are blaming his family for one obvious reason—vested political interest.

"Probably those people that have vested personal interest especially in politics, they will be riding on this issue that one of the main causes of landslide is the negligence of the city government, but for me it’s a non-issue," he said.

Chiong said that he and his daughter, Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong, who is running for vice mayor, are offering themselves to the people in the coming elections to show to the public that they are not running away from the responsibility.

"Ilaha man ko'ng gidahig ani'ng landslide, then we are subjecting ourselves on our mandate to the people if whether we are really the ones that have caused everything," he said.

The elder Chiong also belied claims that his family is benefitting from the quarry operations in the city. According to the former mayor, the revenues derived from the quarry operations go directly to the treasury of the city government and are spent for programs and services for the people.

He explained that it is also the national government that grants quarry firms the Mineral Processing Production Agreement. He said that the city only issues business permit.

Valdemar also said that quarry firms like Apo Land and Quarry Corp. are helping the city government provide employment to the residents.

"Those working there including the contractors could reach around 1,200 to 2,000 employees and almost 80 percent of the workforce is from Naga City," he said.

He said it is never easy to close the firm because it might jeopardize the cement industry.

"Cement (industry) will be at a crisis without Cemex. That is a big firm," he said. ALQC is the raw material supplier of Apo Cemex. (FREEMAN)