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| Vol. XX No. 44 |
January 10, 2001 |
Virac, Catanduanes |
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The Catanduanes Tribune Rawis, Virac Catanduanes, Philippines - 5001 Tel. No.: (052) 811-1267 or 811-2640 Fax No.: (052) 811-1267 E-mail:
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Publisher-Editor Edwin A. Gianan |
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Advertising- Circulation Manager Simeon G. Cueno |
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Web Master: Calgary, Canada |
INSIDE PAGE
by Fernan A. Gianan
Smart move
A Manila councilor has proposed that separate garbage fees be levied on contractors, construction firms or individuals undertaking the demolition, construction, improvement or renovation of any building or structure.
There are several reasons why a similar ordinance should be considered here. One, the yearly garbage fee being paid by business establishments from sari-sari stores to shopping centers covers only the collection and disposal of ordinary trash accumulated during the establishment's operation.
Second, this type of trash is light and easily decomposed (except for plastic containers). On the other hand, the waste generated during the demolition of an existing building or the construction of a new one consists of old, disposable lumber, broken concrete, excavated soil and other materials which would not be suitable for collection by the capital municipality's mini-compactors.
Second, collecting the disposed construction materials would take not a few minutes of the garbage dumptruck's time but also involve a huge amount of manpower, even the use of a payloader.
It's disposal would pose a problem, since such type of waste (especially concrete) is not biodegradable and would therefore occupy considerable space at the dump.
Third, there is a need for the municipal government to regulate the disposal of such construction waste and to impose penalties in case the waste is dumped in a public place where it could endanger public safety or probe to be a blight on the local scenery. In the latter case, a contractor of the Philippine Ports Authority dumped several tons of broken-up pavement at one side of the existing breakwater, in violation of existing laws.
Perhaps, somebody at the Sangguniang Bayan might take some time to think this over and do something.
Contributory to the raging war between Rep. Leandro B. Verceles, Jr. and Gov. Hector S. Sanchez has been the refusal of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to give the governor the authority to enter into contract with the winning contractors pursuant to a provision of the Local Government Code of 1991.
It should be noted that the SP already has two representatives - the minority party rep and the chair of the appropriations committee - in the Prequalification, Bids & Awards Committee to oversee the bidding process.
Aside from adding another layer of bureaucratic tape to the implementation process, the requirement of SP authority also allows a hostile board to practically hold hostage a sitting executive's infra projects.
There is truth to the rumor that the withholding of such an authority has given license to some board members to demand a share of the SOP or, displaying the greed of a crocodile, to hog the entire project itself.
Another thing, it has allowed losing bidders, even those who lost fair and square, an opportunity to derail their winning rivals by filing complaints with the SP and thereby halting the bidding process.
Surely, there should be clear-cut guidelines as to the ranting of the authority and the board's acceptance of protests from losing bidders, in the absence of any reference to the matter in the bidding guidelines issued by the DILG. There should be real check-and-balance, not the type where any elected extortionist could just say to the winning contractor, "when you have the check, give me my balance."
The establishment of Smart's satellite communications system in the province is a big boost, both to residents and businesses, thanks to NTC Commissioner Joseph A. Santiago who was reportedly instrumental in convincing Smart to invest in Catanduanes' telecommunications potential.
Now, residents of northern towns do not have to risk their lives in travelling to Virac just to call relatives in Manila. Although the rate is a bit high at P25 per minute (about half a US dollar), still the convenience will win customers over.
Cellphones in Virac will also be able to contact Smart Tawag Centers in the other towns as well as satellite phones of government offices or public officials.
The new development also brings another dimension to the coming electoral campaign. Its use by his opponents presents a rival to Rep. Jun Verceles' reliable communications network - which allegedly piggybacks on the Barangay Telephone System transmitters installed in several towns using government funds.
One thing though, since he would be leaving as congressman by Feb. 13, 2001 and with the Estrada administration (assuming it still exists by then) itching to get back at congressmen who abandoned the president, there is no certainty that the Verceles' radio network would still be in safe hands by the time the campaign starts.
