Baguio City eyes state of calamity over dumpsite tragedy

Officials in Baguio City are considering declaring a state of calamity after a deadly dumpsite accident there killed five people during the height of tropical cyclone “Mina" (international name: Nanmadol) last weekend. Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the city council will hold a special session this week to determine if there is a need to declare a state of calamity. “Tingnan namin kung kailangan mag-declare state of calamity, at gamitin ang calamity fund ng City of Baguio," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Domogan said heavy rains continued to fall on the city on Tuesday. “Right now malakas pa rin ang ulan in the city of Baguio. Talagang nakatutok kami sa paglinis ng basura, mobilize natin lahat na available dump trucks ng private and public," Domogan said. Five people were killed and one was missing after heavy rains on Saturday caused the retaining wall of the Irisan dumpsite to collapse. Domogan said officials are looking into establishing relocation sites for the residents in high-risk areas like the dumpsite. “Tingnan natin relocation sites at kausapin ang pamilyang involved ," he said. He lamented that some residents insisted on building their homes in a dangerous area like the dumpsite. “Ang hirap kausapin minsan ang tao," he said. Transporting the garbage On Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said some 1,500 tons of garbage from the Irisan dumpsite will be transported to a dumpsite in Capas. “All garbage (estimate of 1,500 tons) will be transported directly to Capas, Tarlac dumpsite while a staging area along Brgy. Irisan will serve as temporary holding area for the collected garbage," the NDRRMC said in its 6:00 a.m. update on Tuesday. The NDRRMC said Cordillera and Baguio City disaster management officials conducted a joint meeting to discuss the immediate garbage clearing operation and rehabilitation of the damaged wall. The groups taking part in the clearing operations are: