SPECIAL TASK FORCE TO OVERSEE UMAPAD REHABILITATION

Its purpose is to come up with solutions to extract methane deposits earlier found in the area by a team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency

The Mandaue City Government will create a special task force that will oversee rehabilitation of the Umapad dump site after a team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) found methane deposits in the area.

Mayor Luigi Quisumbing said that the purpose of the task force is to fast-track extraction of the highly-combustible gas.

“We hope that the new task force will be able to study and recommend the mitigating measures para ma-mine out nato ang methane gas as soon as possible. Because if we do not do this within the next few years, it will take even longer because the methane will continue to build up over time,” the mayor said.

He said the task force will be created through an executive order.

Necessary

“This is a very important initiative because of the studies sa Jica. If not handled properly and with expertise, it can pose (a) danger not just to the surrounding area but also imposes greater danger to an ever-expanding area,” he said.

Masoy Tumulak, the former head of the Human Resource and Development Office, will lead the task force. He will be assisted by Engr. Andres Suson, a former member of the Office of the Building Official.

Quisumbing said that the task force is necessary because the Department of General Services, which used to oversee the dump site, cannot cope with the problem.

The City Government had allocated P120 million for the establishment of a material recovery facility at the site but when the methane was discovered, it realigned the amount. Some P90 million will help fund the drainage master plan while the remainder will go to the rehabilitation of the dump site.

The City hopes to start rehabilitation of the dump site this year or next year.

“Hopefully, we can start to reduce the methane gas and we’ll be able to hit the target of Jica that within 10 years we will be able to use the land sa Umapad dump site once more,” the mayor said.

Quisumbing said they will set up a ventilation system in the area to extract the methane.

“The ventilation system to mine out the methane is not just (a) sticking post to the ground. It has to be properly channeled. It has to be connected properly and vented out properly in order to release all the deposits,” he said.