𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗲𝘀

The municipality's Inter Agency Monitoring Team met together with the Barangay LGU of Beckel and representative of the landowner of the proposed batching plant in Sitio Busi in Barangay Beckel on July 21.

The team, led by Municipal Legal Officer Atty. Victor Singa Jr., discussed the ongoing situation at Sitio Busi and the actions taken by the contractors' responsible for the rehabilitation of the collapsed road and construction of the retaining wall.

Mayor Roderick Awingan emphasized to the team the need to prioritize the riprap restoration and slope protection project to mitigate risks, especially with the continuing rains in the locality. Awingan also reiterated that there must be no batching plant to be put up within the municipality.

Another meeting is set on July 22, for the team to meet with the land owner to come up with an undertaking to set a timeline for the immediate riprapping and construction of the retaining wall in the area, among other concerns.

Present during the meeting were Administrator Franco Bawang Jr., Municipal Planning and Development Office head Vicente Perez Jr., Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office designate Arthur Pedro, Beckel Barangay Chairman Jessie Doclisen, Architect Alvez Tolean representing the landowner in Sitio Busi,Jornalon Abance of the Municipal Engineering Office, Eugene Lumdang of United Architects of the Philippines Cordillera, Julius Pucate of the DPWH-Benguet 1st District Engineering Office, Milden Guinto of the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, Jason Taltala of the Municipal Legal Office, and Engr. Lowell Barton Jr. of the Environment Management Bureau Cordillera.

Atty. Singa said the timeline to be set would be based from the earlier commitment signed by the land owner, Ben Cayabas, to the EMB-Cordillera during its hearing with the former on July 14.

Based on the commitment sheet signed, Cayabas and his personnel shall complete:

📌 the rehab of the collapsed road and construction of the 30-meter retaining wall from the national road on or before Sept. 12, 2026

📌 the installation of the GI Sheet fencing to enclose the whole area on or before August 13, 2026

📌 the construction of permanent mitigating measures based on the submitted site development plan on or before March 11, 2027

The owner also committed to:

📌 submit monthly progress reports with the first report submitted on Aug. 14, 2026

📌 to observe extra caution in containing excavated earth materials and refrain from intentionally or unintentionally pushing or spilling it downslope

📌 confer with the CENRO for the institution of measures to protect the trees on site and secure a tree cutting permit in case of a cutting activity

📌 implement measures to catch the flow of silts from the project site on or before July 29, 2026

Author & Photographer: 𝘖. 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘢𝘯

Original Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E5ou7Ft6M/