CH should pursue ownership of landfill lot – Garganera

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government should pursue the ownership of the 15.2-hectare Inayawan Sanitary Landfill, according to a city official.

Councilor Joel Garganera, vocal critic of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, said the city has been occupying the property for the longest time.

 “I think the city is going to rectify. I think the city is pursuing it. That should be the case,” he told reporters.

The city filed an adverse claim before the Cebu City’s Registry of Deeds for the reversion of the title which is under the name of Renato Senining.

The property was reportedly bought by Golden Hectarage Corp. from Senining with certificate title no. 107-2018000529.

In a separate interview, Osmeña said the city is still investigating the matter as he will also make representations before the Office of the Solicitor General to revert the title in favor of the city government which is in possession of the property since time immemorial.

Even if the ownership of the land is still in question, the city government will continue the closure and rehabilitation of the landfill to comply with the order in line with the Writ of Kalikasan issued by the court.

Part of the closure and rehabilitation of the landfill is the clearing of the service road and the construction of perimeter fence around the landfill site, said Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Head Ma. Nida Cabrera.

For remediation, Cabrera said the height of the trash will be capped at four meters, while they would also be constructing a fence of the same height.

Garganera said the city government has approved P36 million for the construction of a concrete perimeter fence.

“Worst scenario, if dili gyud na atoa, so, what’s the use of putting up a concrete and permanent perimeter fence? There is a kuan ba sa government that you cannot introduce development if you don’t own the property,” he said.

Even before the ownership issue surfaced, Garganera said he has been against the construction of the fence.

While he supports the rehabilitation of the landfill, he said the perimeter fence was supposedly for temporary use only.

“Dili lang unta nila usikan ang kwarta sa goberno nga P36 million. Dili nalang unta usikan even before aning pag-claim (sa property). But, I’m one with the city in pursuing our claim over that property,” he added. — KBQ (FREEMAN)