Buyagan residents to file charges vs DITO Telecom; Barangay chairman clarifies position

February 20, 2022 Provincial

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Some residents of Sitio Eastern Buyagan, Poblacion of this capital town are bent on filing charges against DITO Telecommunity regarding the construction of its cell tower even as their barangay chairman has clarified his position, endorsing to Mayor Romeo Salda about the protest letter of his constituents.
According to a reliable source, affected residents have sought the service of a lawyer to assist them in preparing a case against the new telecom player (DITO).
In a related development, in a chance interview on Thursday (Feb. 17) with Manuel Amoy, Jr, Barangay Chairman of Buyagan, he clarified that his endorsement letter (Dec. 20, 2021) to Mayor Romeo Salda was for the latter’s information and favorable action on the attached protest letter from residents of (Sitio Eastern Buyagan) regarding the construction of a DITO telecom tower.
“I am not in favor of the project,” Amoy said in Ilocano when asked about his stand on the project even as he asked concerned local officials to help him in looking for appropriate solutions regarding the sentiments of his constituents.
Barangay chairman Amoy has certified that DITO Telecom has conducted a “public consultation.”
Amoy said he recently met with the affected residents and discussed the issue. Complaining residents lamented that the meeting raised more questions than answers.
On the plan suit against DITO, residents claimed that they were never consulted regarding the construction of DITO’s cell tower in their area
which the latter’s representative, a certain Lester Meneses Dela Pena, claimed otherwise that they conducted a public consultation twice, and none of the residents have.
The project is covered by the Bayanihan Law, Dela Pena said in an earlier telephone interview. But affected residents denied the DITO’s representative’s claim.
“Pleased be informed that a letter from your office was disseminated informing us that a meeting be held on August 26 ,2021 10:00 AM at Mr Keith’s residence (Garden) to discussed the matter. We have been waiting for the said meeting to discuss our concerns to you but it did not push through for reasons only known to your office,” based on a letter by the residents addressed to Dela Pena.
“We have not been informed about the proposed construction. There being no meeting that was held, we were not able to formally inform you of our opposition,” the letter states.
Moreover, the affected residents claimed that the project is located in a residential area. Based on the Evaluation Report by La Trinidad’s zoning office, the project classification and site is -RESIDENTIAL.
A few days ago, the construction of said tower has resumed after a building permit was finally granted to the project. It is to be recalled that a Notice of Violation was issued on Jan.12,2022 and construction of the tower was ordered stopped allegedly for not completing building requirements.
As to the issue of location of the project in a residential area, as claimed by the affected residents which was also classified into as Residential, based on the Evaluation Report by the town’s zoning office, Municipal Engineer Benedict Pineda has recommended to Mayor Salda that said issue be brought to the local zoning board for action. As of press time, the municipal zoning board is attending to the issue.
Primo Agatep/ABN