Argao to open sanitary landfill

CEBU, Philippines - The local government unit of Argao is setting up a sanitary landfill in Barangay Bulasa next year in compliance with the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

 Town officials have been eyeing a public-private partnership (PPP) with Racal Motor Assembly (Phils.) Corporation in building a sanitary landfill.

 Argao Mayor Dr. Stanley Caminero said Racal has agreed in principle to donate three to four hectares of lot in Barangay Bulasa to implement the proposed project.

 He said they have communicated with DENR and the Environmental Management Bureau to inspect the site for "suitability."

 It has been a practice that the Capitol technical working group (TWG) will conduct a geo-resistivity test to check possible soil and water contamination and mapping of water table in the proposed site.

 With the use of an earth resistivity meter, the test can be used in ground water exploration to identify the composition of various earth strata, depth of each strata, detecting changes in earth composition and points to bury objects.

 If approved based on geo-resistivity test result, the TWG will recommend to the governor that the sanitary landfill project be approved, provided that they also comply with the requirements of DENR.

 Among other things, the minimum criterion for the site of a sanitary landfill is that it should have an adequate quantity of earth cover material. The site should be large enough to accommodate the community's wastes for five years.

 Other requirements include liners, or a system of clay layers or geosynthetic membranes used to contain leachate and keep contaminants from flowing into groundwater sources. 

 The town is currently dumping its garbage in a more than a hectare "controlled dumpsite" in Barangay Sua, which is set to be closed soon. 

 Caminero said they are now in the process of shutting down the current dumpsite in consonance with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates LGUs to close all open dump sites and replace them with sanitary landfills as a final disposal site for solid and, eventually, residual wastes.

 "We will be closing it for residuals and recyclables. But it would still serve as site processing for biodegradables because the proposed landfill is exclusive for residuals and non recyclables," he said.

 He said the waste is compacted and covered with soil for the wastes' faster decomposition.

 "The rest of the biodegradables among tabunan og top soil. Biodegradable normally decompose in 4 to 6 months so tabunan yuta paspas ma-decompose. Mahimo pud fertilizer after. For now we are having a containment area for the residual and recyclables para when the standard landfill is completed atong i-haul then i-transfer didto," he said. 

 Last Friday, he said they already started reforesting the area, wherein they planted trees in the perimeter of the dumpsite. This is among the requirements of DENR in closing a dumpsite. (FREEMAN)