The construction of the integrated waste management facility or the sanitary landfill in Aglalana village in Iloilo province’s component city of Passi formally starts after its ceremonial groundbreaking.
The PHP308-million facility was secured through a public-private partnership between Passi City and Basic Environment Systems Technologies, Inc. (BEST) under the IPM Group of Companies.
In an interview shortly after the groundbreaking, Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares said the city provided the 22-hectare land for the sanitary landfill while the private company will shoulder its operational expenses.
“The sanitary landfill can accommodate 200 tons of residual wastes daily,” Palmares said.
It will serve 27 towns in Iloilo province namely Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, and Pototan from the third district of Iloilo; Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, and San Enrique from the fourth district; and Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dioso, San Rafael and Sara in the fifth district.
Palmares said the landfill will also accept residual wastes from neighboring Dumarao town of Capiz province.
Palmares said concerns on transporting the garbage to the sanitary landfill were raised by residents and local government units, as the four-kilometer road towards the facility is not concrete.
Palmares assured the concern will immediately be addressed by the government.
Through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Passi City has secured a PHP45-million convergence fund for road concreting.
“In 2020, we will start (concreting the road towards the sanitary landfill),” he said.
Isabelita Paredes Mercado, President of BEST, Inc., said the construction of the sanitary landfill will be the province’s contribution to help address climate change.
“As responsible citizens of the world, we join you in a collective effort to mitigate the effect of climate change. Saving our environment is the calling of our time. It is time to heed the environment laws because we seriously need this for the future generation,” she said.
The facility will pave the way for the local government units to become compliant to Republic Act 9003 which requires an ecological solid waste management program.
Mercado said the sanitary landfill will become operational around April next year.
The city government will have an 18-percent share from the revenues when the landfill becomes operational, she said.
Palmares said a seminar-workshop for the operation and management of the facility will be conducted on Friday morning at The Mansion Hotel in this city. (PNA)
