The integrated waste management facility or sanitary landfill in Iloilo’s component city of Passi will be opened in March this year, its mayor said on Tuesday.

The sanitary landfill, which is under construction, was secured by the city through a public-private partnership between Passi City and Basic Environment Systems Technologies Inc. (BEST) under the IPM Group of Companies.

Passi City Mayor Stephen Palmares said they recently met with BEST officials to tackle the sanitary landfill’s operation.

“The target date to open the first cells (of the sanitary landfill) is on Mar. 15, 2020,”Palmares said.

This means the sanitary landfill can start accommodating residual wastes from 27 towns in Iloilo province–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.

It will also accept residual wastes from neighboring Dumarao town of Capiz province, he said.

Palmares clarified the operation of the sanitary landfill is “environment-friendly” so the locals need not worry about their health.

“I will just clarify that this sanitary landfill is not typical or conventional that waste materials will be dumped here. There will be segregations. This as the concept of most of the locals here that Passi would become merely a dumping site for garbage,” he said.

“We are arranging our needs on the gathering of wastes. Later on, we will convert into waste-to-energy here in Passi City,” he added.

Once operational, Passi City government will have an 18-percent share from the revenues. (PNA)