SABLAN FAVORS PHESCO INC. TO OPERATE BATCHING TO A NEW SITE

October 10, 2022 Community Billboard

SABLAN, Benguet- Mayor Alfredo Dacumos Jr. said that he is not against Phesco Inc.’s batching plant
in their town but not on its present location -along the Quirino national highway at Sitio Monglo in Barangay
Bayabas. “We are not against the operation of a batching plant but not on the present location ,” Mayor Dacumos said who led other town officials, Assistant Provincial Legal Officer, and representatives
from the DPWH-Cordillera Region during the Oct 4 dialogue held at the municipal grounds.

Mayor Dacumos called the dialogue in order to address the issue and to facilitate the completion of the P286-M, 3.8 kms circumferential road vital road network system. Mayor Dacumos appealed to Phesco Inc. to relocate its batching plant even as he pointed out that the “delay” of the project should not be put
the blame on the cease and desist order earlier issued (May 5,2021) by then Mayor Manuel Munar, Jr.

The local chief executive stressed further that with or without the batching plant, the government road project should be completed, pointing that the Oct 4 dialogue was not the only meeting held to thresh
out the issue (plant location) but series of consultations have been held. Dacumos stressed that the
government road project is vital to their town’s progress as well as the province as a whole and
nearby areas. Midway in the dialogue, presided by Sablan Vice-Mayor Arthur Baldo, Dacumos said :
“My stand is stop the operation of the batching plant- the issue here is to relocate the plant from its present location.”

Dacumos stand was supported by municipal councilors and Teofilo Anacico, Barangay Chairman of Bayabas, who were present in the meeting. Also during the dialogue, Mayor Dacumos revealed that
some locals are offering lots which is away from residential areas which could be utilized as batching plant.
Dacumos’ action stemmed by the clamor of some locals residing along the said national highway (Sitio Monglo) that Phesco Inc’ s plant be relocated since its present location post health and environmental
hazards.

The local chief executive stressed further that with or without the said batching plant, the government road project should be completed, pointing that the Oct 4 dialogue was not the only meeting held to thresh
out the issue (plant location) but series of consultations have been held. Safeguarding the welfare
of local residents as well as the general public, Phesco Inc.’s has introduced several health, environmental and health measures, this was based on the Compliance Letter (Sept 21, 2022) forwarded to town’s
Vice Mayor Arthur Baldo.

In the same dialogue, Engr. Robert Bulan, representing Phesco Inc. reiterated those measures. He added that their plant is covered by Certificate of Non Coverage (CNC) issued by the environment department. Bulan appealed to town officials that they be permitted to operate its batching plant to fast track the completion of the said circumferential project. Phesco Inc.’s batching plant is critical in the delivery
of concrete materials to its road projects in the province as well as in Baguio City.

In a related development, Project Engineer Ismael dela Cruz of the DPWH-CAR regional office, said about 60 percent of project has been completed. Dela Cruz was among those present in the dialogue.

Primo Agatep/ABN