DENR lays guidelines for closure of dumps

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will be issuing guidelines on the proper closure and rehabilitation of garbage disposal facilities as the deadline for closing down all open and controlled dumpsites draws near.

According to Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, all controlled dumps will be closed or converted into sanitary landfills on February 16.

"These guidelines are set to ensure that closure of all dumps will be done in a safe manner, with environmental protection measures and safeguards in place." National Solid Waste Management Commission Executive Director Zoilo Andin explained.

Under the guidelines, cities and municipalities must prepare a closure plan immediately after a site assessment is conducted by the concerned local government unit. The plan should include components such as site clearing, relocation of informal settlers living within the dumpsite, site grading and stabilization of critical slopes, application and maintenance of soil cover, and leachate management, among others.

To ensure that closed sites will not be reused as open dumps, the DENR Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices will conduct regular inspection and monitoring of the dumpsites during the closure process.

Based on NSWMC data, only 264 out of 734 LGUs with existing open dumpsites have converted their dumps to controlled disposal facilities.

Unlike open dumpsites where garbage is indiscriminately thrown, controlled disposal facilities follow prescribed standards in depositing of wastes such as application of soil cover and controlled waste picking and trading.

Sanitary landfills, on the other hand, are facilities that require special engineering for the disposal of wastes. These include clay lining to contain leachate and prevent the contamination of groundwater; gas control system; and a leachate collection and treatment system.

Some 215 sites have already been identified as potential sites for sanitary landfills. Only four are currently operating and these are located in Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Bais City in Negros Oriental, and Rodriguez in Rizal. - Jasmin R. Uy