Bulacan landfill project opposed

MANILA, Philippines - A waste and pollution watchdog yesterday urged Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje to stop at once the proposed construction of a landfill in Obando, Bulacan.

“We are aghast to learn that the Obando municipal government has allowed the construction of a privately-owned landfill in the fishing village of Salambao in Manila Bay. It’s a pollution time bomb in the making to be erected right where fishing communities get their livelihood and sustenance,” said Christina Vergara, Zero Waste project coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition.

Municipal Resolution Number 102 adopted last Jan. 24 and subsequently ratified on Jan. 31 authorizes the Eco Shield Development Corp. to establish a 44-hectare landfill in Barangay Salambao, Obando.

The EcoWaste Coalition earlier participated in the “No to Landfill” forum last Thursday in Obando town that brought together over 200 people from various sectors and local groups.

During the forum, Fr. Edgardo de Jesus, who spearheads the anti-landfill campaign, urged Obando Mayor Orencio Gabriel to “abandon landfill as a solution to the waste problem” and to promote ecological waste management instead.

Ecological waste management refers to the combined application of waste prevention, reduction, segregation, recycling, reuse and composting, excluding littering, dumping, incineration and other unhealthy disposal practices.

De Jesus also cited a “statement of opposition” to the construction and operation of any landfill in the whole of Bulacan that was signed by 140 priests, 105 religious and 132 parish and school leaders in the province.

“Landfills impair both the people’s lives and the environment. This is why we strongly oppose the construction of landfills in Bulacan,” De Jesus said.

The EcoWaste Coalition is supporting the anti-landfill campaign.

“We ask Secretary Paje to step in and halt this obvious travesty of the government’s environmental protection program,” said Romy Hidalgo, vice president of the EcoWaste Coalition.

According to the group, the Obando landfill project contravenes the intent of the government to clean up Manila Bay, reduce pollution in the Obando River and other river systems, as well as plant trees nationwide.

“Interestingly enough, there is a standing Supreme Court order directing concerned agencies, including the DENR, to clean up, restore and preserve the water quality of Manila Bay, which is where the proposed Salambao landfill is to be located,” Hidalgo said.