DAGUPAN CITY – The city’s open dumpsite is now undergoing rehabilitation in compliance with Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.”
Waste Management chief Ronaldo De Guzman disclosed on February 7, during the public hearing conducted by the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources chaired by Councilor Jeslito Seen that more or less 9,000 square meters of the total land area of the dump site have already been compacted and leveled and covered with topsoil.
“Soon, we will start conducting tree planting as part of the rehabilitation of the dumpsite,” said De Guzman.
The open dumpsite of the city has been closed after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office issued a Cease and Desist Order on January 21.
On the other hand, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved during its regular session on February 1 the city’s ecological waste management plan for the years 2015-2024 which will make Dagupan a clean and environment-friendly city with empowered citizenry who are mandated to help in the management of the city’s solid waste through segregation and source reduction.
Thus, during the public hearing facilitated by the committee on environment and natural resources with the Punong Barangays and the city’s stakeholders in attendance, committee chairman Councilor Seen, expressed optimism that the city’s waste will be addressed in accordance with the provisions of R.A. 9003.
“We adhere to the words of advice of Engineer Carlito Dion, former Punong Barangay of Barangau Bued, Calasiao that what we need is the strict implementation of waste segregation starting from every household. As much as possible segregated na ang dapat na makolektang basura,” said Seen.
Dion was invited to the public hearing to share his experience in addressing the waste problem in his barangay when he was then the chair of Barangay Bued.
Dion advised all Punong Barangays to use their political will in strictly implementing the law without fear but must get the cooperation of all members of the community.
Meantime, while the city is negotiating with Urdaneta City for the use of its sanitary landfill, the city will be implementing a schedule for collecting wastes from the barangay’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) by designating a day for plastics, food wastes and residuals.
All barangays are encouraged to collect garbage within their respective jurisdiction and implement strict waste segregation.
All plastics as well as food wastes that are collected, De Guzman said, will be brought to the central MRF for compacting. The biodegradable wastes will be retained in the barangays for composting.
De Guzman also revealed the city awaits the arrival of a bailing press machine for use in further compacting garbage.
This is in addition to the shredder machine now being used to cut biodegradable wastes into bits for composting and turned into organic fertilizer. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO)
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