TUBA, Benguet – The municipal government identified a potential site in one of its thirteen barangays for the put up of its own engineered sanitary landfill for the town’s plastic waste.
Mayor Ignacio Rivera said the site will still be inspected by experts from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Solid Waste Commission (NSWMC) and the local government to ascertain its feasibility for the purpose before it could proceed to partner with whichever will be capable of implementing the project.
“We want to make sure that the potential landfill site is suitable for such purpose that is why we do not want to identify the exact area where the land is located,” Rivera stressed.
The local chief executive said the local government is spending approximately P2 million annually for the hauling of its residual waste to the engineered sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac that is why it is important for the municipality to establish its own landfill for its rapidly increasing volume of plastic waste.
The Mayor said there is an available technology for use in the landfill for the proper disposal of plastics and subsequently maximize its potentials for the local government to comply with the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
Rivera said it is necessary to put up the sanitary landfill to comply with the law because the national government will charge local officials who have not yet satisfactorily complied with the establishment of their waste disposal facility.
He added funds for the landfill project will be provided via a public-private partnership (PPP).
He explained once the town’s landfill is operational, it could accommodate the plastic wastes from neighboring localities, including Baguio City.
The mayor assured the local government consult with all the stakeholders in the municipality once the concerned government agencies will consent to the use of the site as the town’s landfill area pursuant to the provisions of the solid waste management law.
Rivera appealed to his constituents to support the plans and programs of the local government in complying with the provisions of existing laws, rules and regulations to prevent them from being placed in ‘hot water’ in the future.
By HENT