Trash finally collected in Makati, San Juan as MMDA finds dumpsite

Residents of Makati City and San Juan can now breathe a sigh of relief with regards to their garbage problems as the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has finally found them a dumpsite.

MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. told the representatives of the two local government units at the Metro Manila Council meeting yesterday that a "secret" site was already available for their trash and that hauling operations would start immediately.

Abalos declined to disclose the location of the controlled dumpsite because of the possibility that protests might come up.

However, he pointed out that the site is located some 100 kilometers from Metro Manila.

The MMDA would shoulder the dumping fee for Makati and San Juan’s garbage which it has settled under its negotiation with the host site.

"Collection of garbage starts tonight (Wednesday). The site can accommodate unlimited tons of garbage," Abalos said.

He explained that the two LGUs only have to settle their obligations with their contractor REN Transport.

Aside from the two LGUs, Abalos also invited Muntinlupa and Parañaque cities to dump their garbage to the site.

The MMDA chairman also announced to the Metro Mayors the availability of the Montalban, Rizal site by the end of this month.

He said that the contract between Montalban and the MMDA is close to being signed which will pave the way for the immediate use of the site.

The dumping fee for Montalban has already been settled as well as rehabilitation of the roads leading to the province.

Abalos pointed out that Mayor Pedro Cuerpo asked the MMDA to rehabilitate the roads for the propose of improving commerce and tourism in the municipality.

An access road is also close to being completed for the use of the garbage trucks from Metro Manila.

Quezon City is the primary LGU targeted for the use of the Montalban site as Cuerpo demanded that the Payatas dumpsite be closed permanently.

A portion of the Payatas dump is still being utilized by Quezon City for its own garbage disposal requirements.

Cuerpo pointed out that the operation of the Payatas dumpsite has hampered the growth of Montalban because the dumpsite is located along the main road leading to the municipality.