Garbage crisis not over – MMDA

Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando warned yesterday  of a looming garbage crisis in the metropolis once the provincial government of Rizal orders the MMDA to stop dumping garbage at the 19-hectare sanitary landfill in Rodriguez.

Fernando said there might be a problem with the scheduling of dump trucks, adding that the delivery might also take a longer time if the dumpsites are located far from Metro Manila.

“Everytime that there is a shortage of dumpsites, garbage problems arise,” Fernando told reporters at the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel media forum.

“I cannot assure them (Metro Manila residents) that they will not be affected,” he said.

Rizal Gov. Casimiro Ynares III, who was also a guest at the forum, said they are giving the MMDA 72 hours to find a new dumpsite.

He said the provincial sanitary landfill, an area adjacent to the closed Montalban Solid Waste Disposal Facility, will cater primarily to the waste disposal needs of the municipalities of Cainta, Taytay, Angono, San Mateo and Rodriguez under a clustered scheme.

Fernando, however, said he has yet to read the letter from Ynares, noting there are other dumpsites outside Metro Manila which can be used by MMDA.

Fernando also asked residents to minimize their garbage and to intensify the recycling of materials.

He likewise urged entrepreneurs to venture into the landfill business.

The controversy started on Oct. 9 when Ynares ordered the closure of the 14-hectare landfill following concerns raised by the provincial board regarding the safety of the residents in the area. The board said the landfill could no longer accommodate further dumping of garbage.

Fernando said this caused extra expenses to the government as they have to rent barges to bring garbage to Navotas within three months.

The municipal government operates the 14-hectare landfill.

The provincial government, however, ordered its closure and opened a new 19-hectare facility beside it.

The new landfill, which will be administered by the provincial government, angered Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo, who in turn ordered the closure of both landfills.

Fernando said Ynares and Cuerpo should settle the issue.

At least 40 percent of Metro Manila’s daily garbage collections are dumped at the Rodriguez landfill.