IS Dagupan ready for February 15 when all open garbage sites in the whole country like the one located in Tondaligan will be closed for clean environment reasons under the law?

The city appears ready to beat the deadline as it rushed the putting up of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in various areas in Dagupan the past several weeks.

Reginaldo Ubando, waste disposal in-charge, said that if all barangays will only cooperate in the implementation of the waste segregation law, the city can finally and totally close the Tondaligan dumpsite.

The dumpsite is actually part of the 72-hectare national park that extends from Bonuan Gueset to Bonuan Binloc.

All open garbage sites in the country will be closed by February 15, according to environmentalist Nicanor Melecio, citing the law.

The city also bought a land in barangay Awai in San Jacinto to operate a landfill system but local residents there strongly opposed the plan, putting that particular garbage system alternative on hold till today.

Ilocos Sur ambush: 3 farmers killed, another wounded p.2

BURGOS, Ilocos Sur – At least three farmers were killed and another wounded when they were ambushed by unidentified gunmen while crossing a river on their way home from a wake in barangay Bessang here Sunday midnight.

Insp. Federico D. Calibuso, chief of police of Burgos town, identified the fatalities as Ryan Santiago, 18, Profanio Dalit, 46, both of barangay Bessang; and Saturnino Gayyed, 40, of barangay Lonlono, Luba, Abra.

Calibuso identified the seriously wounded victim as Marcelino Orpilla, 39, also of barangay Bessang.

Those who escaped unhurt were Ferdinand Orpilla, 32; Mario Velasquez, 26; Rogelio Orpilla Jr., and Raquel Orpilla, 22; all from barangay Bessang.

Investigation showed that the victims and their companions were fording a stream at about 11:15 p.m. after attending a wake of their relative at barangay Bequi-Walen, Lidlidda, Ilocos Sur when the ambushers opened fire.

Gayyed and Dalit died on the spot while Santiago and Orpilla were rushed to the Reyes Clinic and Hospital in Burgos town. Santiago died while undergoing treatment.

At least 22 empty shells and one empty short magazine of M-16 Armalite rifle and four empty shells and four bullets of Cal. 30 carbine were found by responding policemen at the crime scene.

Calibuso said motive of the killing is still unknown pending investigation. (PNA)