N. Ecija town bet says she’s opposed to landfill

PALAYAN CITY— Debunking her detractors that she was promoting the creation of a landfill here, a mayoral candidate maintained that she continues to oppose the project.

“I will never allow Palayan City to be transformed into ‘basura (garbage),’” Rhianne Cuevas said.

“I want jobs for our people and make agriculture more viable for our farmers,” she said.

Instead, Cuevas pressed for the creation of an agro-industrial park that she said would uplift the lives of residents.

The proposed landfill here has been opposed by residents, including Catholic-based organizations.

“I studied the issue. I even looked into the memorandum of agreement between the city government and the company [tasked with undertaking the project] and found that it [imperils] the city and people,” Cuevas said.

She said a landfill project that would accommodate hazardous wastes from other areas runs counter to her advocacy for health promotion.

“I want tourism to boom. I want employment for healthy residents,” she said.

She said the provincial government of Nueva Ecija has been looking for sites in other towns suited for a bigger landfill. Instead of a landfill, she said she prefers a proper waste-disposal system for Palayan. Armand Galang, Inquirer Central Luzon