by Julie g fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Due to the absence of business permits and other clearances, City Treasurer Thelma Manaois informed the public that the much-complained-about Camp 7 batching plants should be closed.

The city treasure categorically stated this during a meeting called for by Acting City Mayor Daniel Farinas last week with representatives of one of the batching plants.

Taking cognizance of the health hazards by the continuing operation of the batching plants, and as to the complaints of the households affected, the acting mayor also called for Engineer Greg Deligero of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD). The plants were also labeled as nuisance in the immediate community, it was learned.

The meeting was also called for, to clarify matters as to allegations that despite repeated warnings of closure, the batching plants continued to operate. Allegedly, favors from the operators were extended to some personnel of the POSD, but was emphatically denied by Deligero.

Deligero said they are only complying with orders from the mayor, as it was their office assigned to assist in the closure. There have been no confiscations done, as it was not specified in the mayor’s directive, he added. Appropriate complaints as to allegations of favoritism in closing the plants could be filed in the courts, if any, he said.

The City Legal Office shall also undertake proper legal remedies to “protect the community’s health and concerns,” it was learned.

There shall also action done to amend ordinances and resolutions as to batching plants, to include penalties and fines to violators, the acting mayor emphasized. Our actions should be strengthened, he added, “more teeth should be put into our laws.”

According to national laws and local zoning regulations, batching plants and similar industrial units deemed as nuisance and hazardous to health are mandated to be outside of urban centers, such as Baguio, acting mayor Farinas said

Representatives of Marcon Builders, one of the batching plants in question, agreed to put in writing their intention to gradually close shop after a short while. They also said that they are no longer operating on a big scale.

No representative of the other batching plant, said to be owned by a William Tan, Jr. was present during the meeting. – *** CMO-PIO