Sunday, April 15, 2007 Mayor orders closure of Irisan dumpsite
THE long-delayed closure and rehabilitation of the Irisan open dumpsite would finally start.
The first phase of the project is expected to begin anytime this month to be implemented by the winning bidder -- the Asia Envirocons/C.B. Garay Philwide Builders.
The city was scheduled to sign the contract with the contractor last Friday.
Acting Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. already declared the dumpsite's closure and rehabilitation as a special project and has assigned offices to monitor its implementation.
Engineer Nazita Bañez, head of the Solid Waste Management Division of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo), said Bautista tasked the Cepmo to spearhead the implementation of the project to be supported by the City Engineer's Office while the Technical Working Group of the City Solid Waste Management Board and representatives from other concerned agencies would be assigned to monitor and evaluate the project.
The project, which has an allocation of P18.7-million, would involve the closure and rehabilitation of three-fourths or 75 percent of the whole 2.1-hectare dumpsite area. The remaining 25 percent would be maintained as residual waste containment area, a small-scale dumpsite, which would serve as the city's waste technology in the meantime that the final garbage management scheme is being worked out.
The scope of work for the project would cover trash moving works, which involves the leveling and compaction of existing solid waste and spreading and compaction of earthfill; leachate collection (trash excavation, setting up of piping system, leachate collection pond and sump pump, installation of methane gas vents (drilling and installation of pipes); storm drainage system (installation of trash excavation and drainage canal);
Perimeter/litter fence and gates, crib wall as trash erosion control, access road, gate, guardhouse and the operation and management of incoming waste for four months; and ensuring of safety and security during project duration.
The city was earlier given the go signal to proceed with the project by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera, which reviewed and approved the plans last month.
"Upon review (of the plans), we find the plans consistent with the guidelines for safe closure and rehabilitation of disposal sites. You may then proceed with the closure and rehabilitation of the dumpsite," EMB Acting Regional Director Paquito Moreno Jr. noted.
Bañez said the city would also pursue other waste management program, like the development of materials recovery facilities in the barangay and the imposition of the mandatory waste segregation to compliment the dumpsite closure project.
Bañez said 17 materials recovery facilities (MRFs) are targeted for construction to cater to the waste management needs of the barangay clusters.
The first five MRFs are targeted for construction this year, the other five in 2008 and the remaining seven in 2009. These would be complemented by the construction of a main MRF structure worth P250-M and bio-reactor machines for composting needs of the barangays.
A massive information campaign would also be conducted to educate residents on proper waste segregation and on the principles of recycling and waste reduction at their own homes. This would also be in line with the implementation of the city ordinance for the mandatory waste segregation in households. (Aileen Refuerzo)
