By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Benguet Representative Ronald Cosalan stressed that there was no compromise agreement underway for the issues raised in the Writ of Kalikasan filed against Baguio City for continued dumping of garbage at the Irisan dumpsite.

“There is no compromise agreement, not even a settlement,” Cosalan reiterated. He further said that the petitioners will continue to monitor closely the complaince of the City government to the Writ.

This was contrary to the earlier pronouncement of Mayor Mauricio Domogan in his weekly media briefing that the Writ of Kalikasan petitioners and the city have reached a compromise agreement. Earlier reports also mentioned that the compromise agreement is just awaiting the signature of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Cosalan pointed out that what they signed was a consent decree that reiterates and strengnthens the petitioner’s demands from the city. Among the demands he said include the issuance of a permanent environmental protection order, permanent closure of the Irisan dumpsite and for the city government to submit reports of their compliance to the Court of Appeals and the petitioners.

The recent efforts of the petitioners and the City is yet to be heard at the Court of Appeals pending the DENR’s position.

It can be recalled that Cosalan led the signing of the Writ of Kalikasan with the assistance of Banedicto Cabrera, Elisa Mariano, Pedro Pugyao, Leonardo Taganas, Erlinda Soriano, Hilario Palos and the local council of Aringay La Union.

The Bengeut representative is firm on his position that the city should comply with the demands of the petitioners for the safety and protection of both Baguio and Benguet’s environement. # nordis.net