“The executive has no choice but to proceed with the project because of the urgency and emergency state of the site. We really have to move forward,” Bautista said in his weekly Ugnayang Panlungsod hosted by the DZEQ Radio ng Bayan.
The council did not confirm the contract which was awarded to the winning bidder, the Asia Envirocon/C.B. Garay Philwide Builders, due to varying opinions.
There were contentions that the project can be implemented even without the council’s confirmation based on the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act which was even supported by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).
However, some councilors maintained that the confirmation is a requisite as per provisions of the Local Government Code (LGC).
The mayor, however, said there is stronger basis to push through with the project than its urgency and necessity.
He said the retaining wall protecting the dumpsite is now in danger of collapsing as a crack has again emerged from the structure. If this is not immediately addressed, then a bigger disaster is in the offing, Bautista warned.
He earlier declared the dumpsite closure and rehabilitation as a special project and even assigned offices to monitor its implementation.
Nazita Bañez, head of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo), said the project will involve the closure and rehabilitation of three-fourths or 75 percent of the whole 2.1 hectare dumpsite area. The remaining 25 percent will be maintained as residual waste containment area, a small-scale dumpsite which will 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 covers trash-moving works which involves the leveling and compaction of existing solid waste and spreading and compaction of earthfilll; 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 wastes 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 (EMB) regional office.
The city is also pursuing other waste management programs like the development of materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in the barangay and the imposition of the mandatory waste segregation to compliment the dumpsite closure project.
Bañez said 17 MRFs are targeted for construction to cater to the waste management needs of the barangay clusters. The first five MRFs are now operational in various barangays.
The city also plans to construct a main MRF structure, worth P250 million, and bio-reactor machines for the composting needs of the barangays. (AR)
