Judge taps experts in landfill inspection

MANILA, Philippines – Using Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment, a surveyor and a geologist tried yesterday to determine the exact location of the controversial landfill in San Mateo, Rizal.

Judge Manuel Taro of the San Mateo Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 75 said he hired the two experts to guide the court as to the exact location of the 19-hectare landfill whose continued operations are being questioned by various environmental groups.

The two experts tried to determine yesterday the boundaries of the landfill and its 1.7-kilometer distance to the clubhouse of the nearest Filinvest property.

An environmental compliance certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed that the landfill is located in Barangay Pintong Bukawe.

However, groups opposing the project have gathered documents showing that the landfill is situated at the boundary of Barangays Maly and Guinayang.

Taro is hearing the petition of Filinvest for a temporary restraining order against the landfill.

Taro conducted an ocular inspection of the area yesterday in the presence of newsmen, who were allowed to take selective pictures and barred from interrupting court proceedings.

The court-hired experts, using the GPS equipment, measured the entire landfill and its boundaries. However, the exact location of the landfill was not determined yet.

An anti-landfill coalition has been blocking the full opening of the facility, which was “silently built” and was allegedly discovered when it was already in its final stage of construction.

The coalition has been campaigning vigorously for the landfill’s closure, saying it poses danger to the environment, as it is located in a watershed.

However, the proponents maintained that they have complied with all the environmental requirements.

Lawyer Andy Santiago of the San Mateo Sanitary Landfill Development Corp. said they would allow Filinvest or the anti-landfill coalition to closely monitor their operations to prove that they are not violating any environmental safety measures.

Lawyer Pablito Perez, chief legal counsel of Filinvest, expressed concern though about the health hazards posed by the landfill.