City's P90M loan for solid waste program gets nod
The Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has approved the city government's P90 million loan for its Solid Waste Management Program (SWMP) which include the construction of a sanitary landfill and procurement of new equipment for the Calajunan dumpsite in Mandurriao district.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said yesterday (Tuesday) that he will meet with City Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro) to discuss the plans for the SWMP of the city following the approval of the loan. "They have a timeline to follow. We have to do something about our environment," the Mayor said.
Cenro is mandated to help in the promotion of SWMP as stipulated by Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as Solid Waste Management Law.
He said the GTZ will provide technical help in the city's plan to set up a sanitary landfill. In fact, Engr. Raul Gallo is now in Germany studying and observing new technology in Germany on sanitary landfill. The Office of Public Services and Cenro are among the offices which are in the forefront of the solid waste management program.
The GTZ also assisted Bais City in Negros Oriental in the construction of its sanitary landfill. However, Treñas could not say whether a German contractor can get the contract for the construction of the sanitary landfill because of the GTZ's technical help.
Treñas said the loan was acquired through KFW, a German bank, and channeled to the Development Bank of the Philippines. Aside from the construction of a sanitary landfill, the city is contemplating of buying one bulldozer, one backhoe and initiate some improvements on the site.
The procurement of a bulldozer and backhoe will greatly help the city to minimize its expenses and all its rentals for the equipment. The payment made from the city's rental of equipment will be used to pay for the loan. Every month, the city government is paying more or less P3 million every month in its rentals for equipment. The city can earn as much as P36 million every year when it comes to rental fees, said Treñas.