Cease and Desist Order Recommended VS Forest Lake Bauang
[wp-svg-icons icon="user" wrap="span"] By: Jane Flores, GPC-SP | [wp-svg-icons icon="calendar" wrap="span"] Date: June 29, 2018
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Public Works and Utilities and SP Committees on Environment and Energy, Laws, Rules and Privileges, Information and Communication Technology, Housing, Land Use and Relocation and Peace and Order and Public Safety discussed the massive mud flow from the on-going development of the memorial park along Manila North Road, Brgy. Santiago, Bauang, La Union during its Joint Committee Hearing conducted on June 20, 2018 at the Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Provincial Legislative Building and Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
A big pipe of the Forest Lake Development, Inc. fronting the national highway in Santiago, Bauang, La Union was discharging massive mudflow as Typhoon Domeng passed by the province and the habagat season from June 11 to 15, 2018. The massive mudflow exited the national highway causing traffic as workers of the Manila North Road (MNR) contractor, Kyeryong Policarpio Joint Venture (KPJV) monitored the incident and cleared the mud on the road to prevent any accidents.
The Joint Committees invited the representatives of Forest Lake Development Inc. (FLDI), DPWH – Second Engineering Dist., KPJV, Barangay Council of Santiago, Bauang and the Municipal Engineer.
FLDI Technical Officer Mr. Eric Ortega, admitted their negligence as they failed to install precautionary measures and failed to complete the ground works before the onset of the rainy season and committed to finish the catch basin and promised that they will abide by the recommendations of the Joint Committees.
Ms. Connie Bravo of FLDI said that they will take responsibility of the damages as well as incurred manhours spent by KPJV and DPWH in clearing the national highway brought by the mudflow and will likewise inform their contractor, Diversion Builders, to clear the mud that clogged canals along the national highway.
From the findings during its Joint Committee Hearing, the recommendations of the Joint Committees include, among others, the immediate closure of the said overflow pipe of FLDI and for FLDI to finish their gabion wall or slope protection wall and their siltation pond. Also to reconcile with the Sangguniang Bayan of Bauang the reclassification of the land being developed by FLDI.
Further, the Joint Committees recommended that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will enact a resolution recommending authorities or offices and agencies to issue a CEASE AND DESIST ORDER to Forest Lake Development, Inc.-Bauang because it has gravely violated the terms and conditions set forth in its Environmental Compliance Certificate, particularly its failure to install adequate and appropriate drainage system and soil erosion control measures. This includes other structural measures which will conform with natural topography and proper stockpiling of spoils and unwanted materials away from the flow of water, which shall necessarily be constructed or implemented to avoid soil erosion and flooding of the adjoining properties; and that safety and preventive measures, including the posting of warning signs in conspicuous places of the project site shall be properly observed and practiced at all times.
The recommendations of the Committees were adopted by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its session on June 21, 2018.
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