BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved the recommendation of the Committee on Barangay Cases Division 3 ordering the suspension of Camp 7 Punong Barangay Constancio Danao after finding him guilty of issuing an untruthful certification that nobody in his barangay interposed an opposition on the intended transfer station for recyclable waste in the said barangay.
Danao’s suspension will take effect 15 days after the City Mayor shall have signed the resolution relative to the said decision of the local legislative body which was penned by Councilor Faustino A. Olowan.
The case stemmed from the certification issued by Danao claiming that no resident has objected to the planned use of GA Flores Construction of a parcel of land in their barangay as a transfer station for recyclable waste amidst the strong opposition from concerned residents due to the dangers that the transfer station will pose to their health and environment.
Former Councilor Federico J. Mandapat, Jr. then filed a case of dishonesty, irregularity, and neglect in the performance of duties, misconduct and grave abuse of discretion against Danao for the issuance of the questionable certification.
Concerned residents of Camp 7 formed an organization called the Camp 7 Coalition for Good Governance and elected Mandapat as their president and initially filed an administrative case against Danao before the local legislative body for his having issued an untruthful certification that nobody interposed an opposition to the intended transfer station for recyclable waste at Camp 7.
Two more complaints on malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents were filed by Mark John Pepin, et. al. against Danao and were forwarded to the office of the Ombudsman for Luzon for its proper action and disposition by the city prosecutor’s office.
The residents also questioned the operation of a batching plant of Engr. William Tan before the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in the Cordillera and that they were furnished by the said office with a copy of Barangay Council Resolution No. 25-2012 which granted clearance for the said questionable batching plant.
The residents claimed the barangay clearance is highly irregular because of the existence of Ordinance No. 43, series of 2007 prohibiting the operation of batching plants around the city.
The complaint stated to date Danao has not issued a certified copy of the said questionable resolution neither did he make a formal reply to their queries which is in violation of the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 6713 which provides that all public officials and employees must act within 15 days from receipt of any request and must make a reply that contains the actions taken thereon.
On the other hand, Danao denied the allegations in Mandapat’s complaint, claiming that it was baseless and without factual basis made purposely to embarrass and malign his person and the truth is that the complainant does not know the truth and falsity of the matters stated in the complaint. The committee found that Danao has failed to consider the rules of procedures for environmental cases promulgated by no less than the Supreme Court (SC). Further, the committee believes Danao’s position lacks credence, especially that it is not supported by any evidence./By Dexter A. See#