Inspection of garbage sites sought due to heavy rains

MANILA – An environmental group called on concerned government agencies to fully assess the physical conditions of garbage transfer stations, dumpsites or landfills amid the bad weather gripping Metro Manila and nearby areas.

The EcoWaste Coalition specifically directed the appeal to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and local government units.

Eyed for inspection are the Pier 18 Garbage Station in Tondo, Manila and the dumpsites and/or landfills in Payatas, Quezon City, Antipolo City, Rodriguez and San Mateo, Rizal, Tanza, Navotas City, Norzagaray and San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan, and even the one being constructed in Salambao, Obando, Bulacan since these are located in environmentally critical areas, the group said.

“It is possible that the monsoon rains may have softened the soil and caused undetected damage to the facilities, particularly the retention walls of dumpsites and landfills,” said EcoWaste coordinator Edwin Alejo.

Alejo said the Payatas dumpsite tragedy on July 10, 2000 occurred after days of nonstop rains that triggered a 50-foot wall of trash to collapse and bury hundreds of people alive.

Heavy rains also caused the retaining wall of the Irisan dumpsite in Baguio City to give way on August 27, 2011, killing five persons.

Alejo said the proposed inspection must be conducted in an open and transparent manner involving residents, village officials and civil society representatives. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)