Political maturity has, no doubt, been manifested by our local leaders both in the legislative and the executive branches of governance. Just very recently the local chief executives of Dumaguete City, municipalities of Bacong, Dauin, Valencia, Sibulan and San Jose met to discuss the perennial problem of garbage.
Finally, after thorough deliberations and discussions over the matter, it was resolved that the municipality of Valencia, particularly barangay Malaunay will be the site of a sanitary landfill.
This development to me is a prelude to further unify their noble intentions of service and collective effort towards a balanced development, minus selfish political interest and personal gratification.
If my memory serves me right, the then political patriarchs of this Province, Dodo Macias and Tuting Perdices, and former Cong. George Arnaiz, had conceptualized the Metro concept.
This would comprise Dumaguete City, Sibulan, Valencia and Bacong.
This could mean redistricting our Province, and the Metro Dumaguete will become the 3rd district, Dauin to Basay, 4th district, San Jose to Bais City up to Mabinay, 2nd district, Guihulngan to Canlaon City, 1st district.
If this would materialize, it would certainly enhance further development in all aspect of governance that will benefit the constituents of this province and remove our name from the list of the poor provinces in the Philippines.
Being the fifth most livable city in the world, considering the size of the land area, Dumaguete City is smaller compared to Bayawan City, Tanjay City, Bais City and Canlaon City.
Yet, as a character city, our plans for development for this City of Gentle People should be guided by this fact.
For instance, in addressing our garbage problem by putting it at Malaunay, Valencia, a highly elevated barangay of this municipality.
Is it ideal? Or is it a desperate move of our leaders in considering this dilemma? Have they considered the fact that we in the lowland would suffer the consequences later?
Research tells us as that Dumaguete City serves as the basin for the volume of rain water coming from Valencia.
Assuming that the sanitary landfill would be installed at Malaunay, where will be the residue of garbage flow?
I’m not expert on this matter, and neither do I claim to possess technical knowledge on this matter. But in my layman’s point of view, I believe we in the lowlands are vulnerable to whatever consequences this sanitary landfill would offer.
However, if the experts would evaluate the matter and prove me wrong, I am willing to stand corrected.
The Metro Dumaguete concept, if rekindled, would serve as light that will guide our leaders in conceiving an environment-friendly solution on our garbage problem.
