Aid from powerplants: Toledo City builds landfill, eco-park

CEBU, Philippines – Power plants gave financial assistance for the construction of Cebu's first sanitary landfill and ecological park located in Barangay Putingbato, Toledo City.

Amador Cavan, Toledo City environment officer, and some members of Cebu's media went to the 10-hectare site that Toledo bought last year for P5 million.

About 5,000 square meters will be used for the landfill. The rest of the area will have other facilities such as the materials recovery facility, park, administrative building, butterfly and bird sanctuary and a demo farm.

Cavan said that the Toledo Power Plant (TPP) has already given P7.3 million for the construction of the sanitary landfill alone.

Lea Diaz, assistant vice president for Plant Support Services of Toledo Power Company and Cebu Energy Development Corporation, said that for every one kilowatt of power they produce, they are giving P1 divided among the host community, the city or town, the province and region as provided for by law.

TPP is producing 100 megawatts of power daily for their two units while CEDZ produces 246 megawatts of power daily.

Diaz explained that the amount is given to the Department of Energy and it's the energy department that will give the money for the intended recipients.

Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa said that the presence of the power plants in his city has given them several projects.

Toledo City is now facing an environmental suit together with the two power operators and several others for allegedly violating environmental laws such as indiscriminate dumping of coal ash.

The mayor said that the power plant operators in the city are responsible enough to take care of the environment.

He said the sanitary landfill, which cost millions, is one proof that power plant operators are helping in preserving the environment.

Diaz said that the P7.3 million is just for the sanitary landfill. They have helped in the city's other programs such as for livelihood and construction of roads.

Cavan added that Toledo City is producing 20 to 25 tons of garbage daily and these are being dumped in Barangay Cantabaco.

He said the sanitary landfill will be operational next year and it is expected to be used for the next 40 to 45 years.

Under Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, local government units are mandated to have sanitary landfills as this law has banned open dumpsites.

The law added that segregation and collection of solid wastes shall be conducted at the barangay level, but the collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality or city. (FREEMAN)