‘Open San Mateo, Carmona landfills’

Out of sheer desperation, one of the Metro mayors has proposed to temporarily reopen the San Mateo and Carmona landfills in order to avoid a crisis in the metropolis.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos said that the only logical solution to the current problem in Metro Manila is to find a site which is physically ready to handle the garbage immediately.

He noted that only the San Mateo landfill and the Carmona landfill were still environmentally acceptable and capable of handling garbage for a number of years as confirmed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

However, Abalos was quick to point out that what he is proposing is just a temporary measure and should by no means be interpreted otherwise.

"This is a just a pallative measure, it would only be used for 20 days," Abalos said with reference to the temporary restraining order issued by the Regional Trial Court of Antique against the government’s Semirara landfill project.

He explained that the local government units are now left with very limited options most of which are even prohibited under the present environmental laws.

A number of mayors have admitted that burning garbage in the open would not be a very far-fetched idea eventually when push comes to shove. – Marvin Sy