MMDA opens landfill in Rizal

Backed by the provincial government of Rizal, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) officially opened yesterday a sanitary landfill in Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) for the dumping of some 2,000 tons of garbage daily in the next five years.

MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. was joined by Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo and other local executives in ceremonies that paved the way for the operation of the 14-hectare dumpsite in Sitio Lukutan in Barangay San Isidro.

"As long as the municipal government and majority of the people are with us, the landfill will start operating later today," Abalos said.

The formal opening of the landfill proceeded as scheduled at 9 a.m. despite earlier threats by protesters to set up a human barricade around the site.

Yesterday’s opening also belied reports that a temporary restraining order (TRO) had been issued by the Pasig regional trial court against the dumping of garbage at the site.

Abalos said no TRO could have been issued since the court has just begun preliminary hearings on the petition of a group of residents calling themselves Mamamayan ng Montalban Ayaw sa Basura.

Cuerpo accused his political opponents of being behind the disinformation campaign and the attempts to disrupt the operation of the dumpsite.

"I appeal to them not to make the dumpsite opening a political issue," he said.

At least 400 new jobs will be created with the operation of the landfill, which is estimated to generate some P3 billion in revenue for the municipality.

With Abalos and Cuerpo in the opening were Caloocan Mayor Rey Malonzo, Pateros Mayor Toby Capco and the chief executives of Rizal’s municipalities.

Morong Mayor George Bernardo, president of the Rizal Mayors’ League, praised Cuerpo for supporting the opening of the landfill in his municipality despite the obvious risks to his political career.

"We support Mayor Cuerpo. We believe the garbage problem will be solved with the opening of the landfill," Bernardo said.

The Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers said the landfill has complied with all standards required for such a facility. A representative of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System also said the operation of the landfill will not have any effect on the water supply of Rodriguez and other municipalities.

Meanwhile, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Heherson Alvarez said the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) was not necessary for the opening of the interim dumpsite.

He explained that the local government unit is not required to secure an ECC since it is merely converting an open dumpsite into a controlled facility as mandated by law. – With Jose Rodel Clapano