Pressure Mounts On Kalibo’s Sanitary Landfill
by Ernesto T. Solidum
Ms. Editha I. de Lemos, Chief, Mun. Services of Kalibo bared the closure of its dumping site facility at Bakhaw Sur. This is in compliance with RA 9003 which mandates all LGU’s with open dumpsites to convert it into sanitary landfill. Necessarily, it must conform to established standard for human and environmental safety, sustainability and economy. Penalty clause for failure to comply is a whooping P500,000 monthly payment. This can easily hurt taxpayers and local Executive’s initiative.
It is for the above reason that Sang-guniang Bayan of Kalibo passed Res. No. 2006 – 042 dated May 16, 2006. The resolution requests Gov. Carlito S. Marquez to look for common landfill site for those towns east of Aklan river like Altavas, Balete, Banga, Batan, Kalibo, New Washington and Libacao as a group to have one common landfill site. Initial development cost is P65 million, obviously beyond financial capability of any local government unit. Suitable site is rolling to mountainous terrain, heavy textured soil and accessible. Until this time, nothing has been heard of from the Governor on this matter.
Present dumpsite of 4.0 has. is established under the then Mayor Atty. Allen S. Quimpo in July located in Bakhaw Sur. Identification and endorsement were done by a task force and approved by Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It was taken as best working alternative despite its adverse location being flood prone and adjacent to a mangrove swamp. Prior to this, municipal dumpsite was a section of reclaimed land, west of Laserna St. where tons of fresh garbage are periodically washed out into the Aklan river. Impact of this anomaly is tremendous as it is resulting to the dwindling fish catch and the impoverishment of fisherfolks.
Utmost concern is centered on fragile food chain that starts from marine microorganisms known as plankton fed upon by herring and the whale. Other issues are on deteriorating condition of soil, air, water and beachfronts.
Surprisingly, there is a dearth of marine animals and other wildlife thriving on Kalibo’s 100 hectares Bakhawan project. Plausible reason is traced to unabated seepage of poisonous effluents from adjacent garbage facility.
The Environment Waste Mgt. Office, DENR estimates that a total of one half kilogram per capita solid waste is generated daily. With projected urban population of 68,124 in 2007, Kalibo accumulates 34.07 metric tons of garbage daily. This is grouped into domestic, institutional and industrial waste. Of this volume, only 73 percent of total waste is routinely collected by five (5) dump trucks. The remaining 27 percent invariably find its way into idle lots, passage ways, creeks and river. The uncollected waste, especially plastic materials, clogs waterways, culverts and manholes causing flood and untold human miseries.
The policy of “No segregation, no collection” was first implemented in 2001. Ms. de Lemos said, “it fizzled out miserably. There was neither prior information drive nor training of barangay leaders on ecological waste management. We’ve learned a lot from this unpleasant experiences.”
Harnessing cooperation of local leaders particularly Poblacion Brgy. Captain, Ms. Jean A. Rebaldo can be a step in the right direction. Ms. de Lemos envisions that biodegradable and recyclable waste be exclusively handled by Brgy. Council, while LGU Kalibo concentrates on residual waste that will be deposited at landfill site. In principle, plan is laudable and practical since it will downsize an intimidating giant.
Biodegradable and recyclable waste means money and opportunity to not just a few. It has spawned a lot of junkshops nationwide. SB Member Madeline A. Regalado beams with pride that her persistence and initiative are paying off. By segregating waste at home, her two helpers derive extra income of P400.00 per month out of plastic bottles, tin cans, boxes, cartoons and other wastes. Entrepreneurs at existing dumpsite have vermiculture projects that are producing several sacks of quality organic fertilizer from cultured earthworms.
Even as LGU Kalibo is awaiting response from Governor Marquez on relocation site, immediate concern is focused on the rehabilitation aspect of existing dumpsite. Objective is to completely seal off nefarious liquid and gaseous pollutants that may damage environment in the long term. Enviable task primarily includes building perimeter walls, filling whole area with clay and tampering them, paving surface with concrete and finally landscaping it to enhance its value. Estimated cost runs to P22 million.
“Heaven knows that we do not have this amount right now but rational decision must prevail, otherwise we will have to contend with legal sanctions’, concluded Ms. de Lemos. /MP
It is for the above reason that Sang-guniang Bayan of Kalibo passed Res. No. 2006 – 042 dated May 16, 2006. The resolution requests Gov. Carlito S. Marquez to look for common landfill site for those towns east of Aklan river like Altavas, Balete, Banga, Batan, Kalibo, New Washington and Libacao as a group to have one common landfill site. Initial development cost is P65 million, obviously beyond financial capability of any local government unit. Suitable site is rolling to mountainous terrain, heavy textured soil and accessible. Until this time, nothing has been heard of from the Governor on this matter.
Present dumpsite of 4.0 has. is established under the then Mayor Atty. Allen S. Quimpo in July located in Bakhaw Sur. Identification and endorsement were done by a task force and approved by Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It was taken as best working alternative despite its adverse location being flood prone and adjacent to a mangrove swamp. Prior to this, municipal dumpsite was a section of reclaimed land, west of Laserna St. where tons of fresh garbage are periodically washed out into the Aklan river. Impact of this anomaly is tremendous as it is resulting to the dwindling fish catch and the impoverishment of fisherfolks.
Utmost concern is centered on fragile food chain that starts from marine microorganisms known as plankton fed upon by herring and the whale. Other issues are on deteriorating condition of soil, air, water and beachfronts.
Surprisingly, there is a dearth of marine animals and other wildlife thriving on Kalibo’s 100 hectares Bakhawan project. Plausible reason is traced to unabated seepage of poisonous effluents from adjacent garbage facility.
The Environment Waste Mgt. Office, DENR estimates that a total of one half kilogram per capita solid waste is generated daily. With projected urban population of 68,124 in 2007, Kalibo accumulates 34.07 metric tons of garbage daily. This is grouped into domestic, institutional and industrial waste. Of this volume, only 73 percent of total waste is routinely collected by five (5) dump trucks. The remaining 27 percent invariably find its way into idle lots, passage ways, creeks and river. The uncollected waste, especially plastic materials, clogs waterways, culverts and manholes causing flood and untold human miseries.
The policy of “No segregation, no collection” was first implemented in 2001. Ms. de Lemos said, “it fizzled out miserably. There was neither prior information drive nor training of barangay leaders on ecological waste management. We’ve learned a lot from this unpleasant experiences.”
Harnessing cooperation of local leaders particularly Poblacion Brgy. Captain, Ms. Jean A. Rebaldo can be a step in the right direction. Ms. de Lemos envisions that biodegradable and recyclable waste be exclusively handled by Brgy. Council, while LGU Kalibo concentrates on residual waste that will be deposited at landfill site. In principle, plan is laudable and practical since it will downsize an intimidating giant.
Biodegradable and recyclable waste means money and opportunity to not just a few. It has spawned a lot of junkshops nationwide. SB Member Madeline A. Regalado beams with pride that her persistence and initiative are paying off. By segregating waste at home, her two helpers derive extra income of P400.00 per month out of plastic bottles, tin cans, boxes, cartoons and other wastes. Entrepreneurs at existing dumpsite have vermiculture projects that are producing several sacks of quality organic fertilizer from cultured earthworms.
Even as LGU Kalibo is awaiting response from Governor Marquez on relocation site, immediate concern is focused on the rehabilitation aspect of existing dumpsite. Objective is to completely seal off nefarious liquid and gaseous pollutants that may damage environment in the long term. Enviable task primarily includes building perimeter walls, filling whole area with clay and tampering them, paving surface with concrete and finally landscaping it to enhance its value. Estimated cost runs to P22 million.
“Heaven knows that we do not have this amount right now but rational decision must prevail, otherwise we will have to contend with legal sanctions’, concluded Ms. de Lemos. /MP
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