DENR laments city's slow compliance on rehab of dumpsite
BACOLOD CITY -- National Solid Waste Management Commission Executive Director and DENR Assistant Secretary Gerardo V. Calderon recently issued a Final Notice to Mayor Evelio Leonardia reminding the latter of its commitment to comply with the conditions stated on the issued Authority to Close (ATC) by the Environmental Management Bureau EMB-Region 6 pertaining to the closure and rehabilitation of their dumpsite at Brgy. Felisa this city.
Calderon had observed that the city government is very slow in providing mitigating measures to address the problem in the disposal facility (open dumpsite) particularly the odor, leachate flowing in the waterbody, inaccessible roadway going to the dumpsite and there was no clean-up in the area.
He also advised the Local Chief Executive to implement the recommendation stipulated. Part of the negotiation is the immediate application of soil cover to the inactive area that was cleared and leveled to prevent odor and proliferation of vectors with the barangay.
Calderon also cited in his recommendation the final construction of the leachate pond to prevent flowing of leachate in the Cabura Creek.
Other concerns raised by Assistant Secretary Calderon was for the city to organize waste pickers (Eco-Soldiers) into a cooperative, to provide them uniforms, personal protective equipment as well as barracks for their shelter in the site.
Calderon also seeks the construction of MRF using bamboo materials for the eco-soldiers.
On the other hand, the group called ALKOBA or Alliance Kontra Basura urges the city government to stop dumping of garbage at the open dumpsite of Brgy. Felisa.
Earlier, Sangguniang Panglungsod Member Greg Gasataya confirmed that they are now on the process of complying with RA 9003 but this observation was not reached when the National Solid Waste Management Personnel inspected the area.
Officials and residents of Brgy. Felisa urgently called the attention of the DENR to religiously perform its function and act immediately to prohibit the establishment of a sanitary landfill at Brgy. Felisa. They cited Management and Geo-Science Bureau (MGB) report that pronounced Brgy. Felisa to be an unsuitable site for a sanitary landfill. In spite of this, DENR had not compelled the LGU-Bacolod to abandon its sanitary landfill project at the said barangay and look for an alternative site where it could immediately commence its construction as mandated by law.