Bacolod City eyes another waste facility

THE City Government of Bacolod is planning to construct another sanitary landfill probably still in Barangay Felisa, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said.

The mayor said that as soon as they complete the closure plan of the existing landfill in Barangay Felisa, which now looks like an open dumpsite, the construction of another sanitary landfill will start.

He noted that Bacolod is one of the first local government units that built a sanitary landfill in compliance with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Leonardia said the previous administration failed to maintain the landfill, adding that the city will have to start from “zero” in building another landfill.

The mayor added that during their meeting with Environment Undersecretary Arturo Valdez in Manila, it was discussed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is not really after the prosecution of the violators, but only wants the implementation of RA 9003.

“We have all the desire to follow the law, that is primary,” Leonardia said.

He added: “We will finalize the road map and if it will be approved with the guidance of the DENR, we are willing to pursue the construction of the new landfill which it cost a lot of money.”

Leonardia said that building a sanitary landfill is not that easy since it will take a long time and needs enough budget.

“Barangay Felisa is still the most ideal area for the landfill, but if the DENR will allow us to consider some areas in Bacolod, the city will also accommodate the plan,” he added.

The present sanitary landfill should last for seven years, but it is already full of garbage, he noted.

Implementation

Leonardi admitted that one of the biggest challenges of his administration is the implementation of the “no segregation, no collection policy.”

The mayor had earlier said he met with the members of Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) to discuss what to do with the existing landfill.

“We cannot resolve it overnight and the SWMB is giving that a priority in the hope that we can come up with a final plan on when we could close the landfill or where we can possibly put up a new sanitary landfill,” Leonardia had earlier said.

He had also said the city is entertaining the proposal of some groups to develop a waste-toworth dumpsite project.

The Department of Public Service is incharge of maintaining the landfill and monitors the garbage collection of private contractor IPMConstruction and Development Corporation.

The contract for the collection, hauling and disposal of garbage and solid waste management services of IPM- CDC amounts to P59.433 million, or P14, 858 million per month for the period of September 2,2016 to December 31, 2016.