'San Mateo landfill can handle garbage'

The San Mateo landfill is still capable of servicing the garbage of Metro Manila even after it closes this coming December.

Metro Manila Development Authority Assistant General Manager for Operations Rogelio Uranza disclosed the possibility of tapping the lone operating landfill as a contingency measure in the likelihood that the development for a new landfill does not materialize.

He noted that this assessment was made by the Greater Metro Manila Solid Waste Management Committee (GMMSWMC) in its recent study of the San Mateo landfill.

The issue on the landfill was raised by Metro mayors during the regular Metro Manila Council meeting at the MMDA who stated concerns over the growing problem of garbage in the metropolis.

Concerns were raised about the recent decision to move the schedule for the bidding on the development of a new landfill from April 6 to June 6 this year.

MMDA chair Jejomar Binay explained that the deferment of the bidding schedule was meant to attract more participants. At the time of the original bidding schedule, there were a total of 17 parties from the private sector who have already submitted their proposals for the sanitary landfill.

However, according to informed sources, the decision to move the bidding schedule was actually meant to give the interested parties more time to come up with the requirements for the project.

In particular, the bidders reportedly encountered problems with regard to the procurement of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The bidders reportedly could not secure ECCs because of problems in the social acceptability requirement in the Environmental Impact Statement. Local government unit heads have repeatedly expressed their opposition to opening up their backyards for the development of a new landfill.

Despite their refusal to allow the use of their respective areas for the landfill development, the Metro Mayors have been putting pressure on the GMMSWMC to come up with a solution to the garbage problem.

Committee chair and Flagship Projects secretary Robert Aventajado has presently been focusing his attention on the waste reduction scheme as a preparatory measure to address any problems which may arise from the development of the new landfill.

Aventajado recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the charismatic leader of the El Shaddai movement, Brother Mike Velarde, for the cooperation of his congregation to the "Zero Basura Philippines" program.

The secretary noted that if the eight million or so members of the El Shaddai would embrace the movement in their own homes, the waste reduction scheme would be given a big boost.

Zero Basura Philippines aims at reducing waste at the household level through segregation, recycling and composting.