BACOLOD City – The P80-million loan of the municipality of La Castellana, Negros Occidental at the Department of Finance (DOF) is “not illegal,” said its Mayor Rhumyla Mangilimutan.
Mangilimutan said she had to issue such clarification following accusations circulating on social media.
Some netizens have questioned the Sangguniang Bayan of La Castellana for authorizing Mangilimutan to sign the loan contract with the DOF.
The money will be used for the construction of the town’s sanitary landfill – a requirement set by the government under Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Mangilimutan said La Castellana needs the money for the landfill construction especially after it received a demand letter from the Environmental Management Bureau.
The P80 million will be spent for the lot acquisition (P20 million), development of the landfill (P20 million) and purchase of heavy equipment that will collect and transport the town’s garbage (P40 million).
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ramil Ravello said La Castellana generates about 23 tons of trash daily./PN
