Ash in air, foul smell still hound Talisay residents

CEBU, Philippines - Two weeks after fire hit the Barangay Tapul, Talisay City landfill, some residents are still complaining of fine ash particulates and an obnoxious smell emanating from the still-burning dumpsite.

The Feb. 22 fire started after the sun’s heat ignited accumulated methane gas in the dumpsite, causing foul-smelling smoke to billow from the site for days.

Tapul Barangay Captain Mary Ann Nolasco said the fire had already forced around 70 scavengers to evacuate the dumpsite.

She said that two weeks after the incident, nearby residents have complained that smoke continue to come out from the dumpsite.

She said they tried to check the dumpsite but could not because of the heat and overpowering smell of methane gas. Nolasco feared that the smoke might affect the health of her constituents.

Talisay City Councilor Antonio “Jojo” Bacaltos Jr., council committee on environment chairman, said they are looking at a long-term solution to the problem.

He said he would coordinate with Edwin Nierves, city consultant on solid waste management, in sending heavy equipment to Tapul and top the burning mountain of trash with anapog (limestone soil) to neutralize the smell.

Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7 said it would send a team to investigate the condition of the dumpsite.

Dr. Eddie Llamedo, DENR 7 spokesperson, said they will be deploy a technical team to Tapul to check, adding that the smoke may cause respiratory ailments on the residents.

He said they would also check on the Talisay City Government’s compliance with Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001) when it established the landfill.—/RHM (FREEMAN)