Reacting to a Manila Bulletin story (Metro, April 2, 2004), San Juan denied reports that the illegal dumping activity at the Lupang Arrienda in Taytay, Rizal has ceased, even as he insisted that the illegal solid waste disposal facility was never closed even after the DENR ordered it closed in August 2001.

San Juan, who is also the environmental consultant of the provincial government, said that he has in act collated evidence that would prove that there was never a break in the illegal dumping activity at the Arrienda — "I have more than enough proof to dislodge their claim that the illegal trash dump at the Around is closed."

He also asked Sec. Elisea Gozun to direct attached and line agencies with the DENR to see to it that the order, which she herself, issued, would be implemented and maintained.

This developed as LLDA general manager Dr. Jun Ynares III said he is seeking an inter-agency to tie up with with the MMDA even as he requested the MMDA for a inventory on how and where they dispose of the garbage that they collect from Metro Manila localities.

He said that the assistance that Chairman Fernando would give them would play a crucial role in resolving the problem.

Likewise, Ynares III furnished the DENR secretary with a list of private trucking firms, who have been transporting tons of garbage to the Lupang Arrienda, even after it was ordered closed in August 2001.

As this developed, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council Federation President Bernardo Reyes Jr. yesterday invoked transparency even as he dared MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and his deputy Cesar Lacuna to bare records of were the garbage of the cities go.

Fernando, who was a three-term mayor before his wife took over, is from Marikina while Lacuna was a city councilor of Pasig City.

Both Fernando and Lacuna are getting the blame over the reported unbated dumping activity, which Reyes claimed, has a "clearance" from the MMDA officials.

Reports have it that the cities of Pasig and Marikina, along with the towns of Taguig and San Juan, has continuously been dumping garbage at the lakeshore parcel.

Their daily output account for 2,100 cubic meters or roughly 35 percent of Metro Manila’s total waste output in a day.