Monday, July 07, 2008 MMDA considers discount for landfill use
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is seriously studying the proposal of Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Pedro Cuerpo for a 40 percent discount for the use of the town's sanitary landfill by the agency and all private garbage contractors in a bid to ease the garbage problem of the metropolis.
"We are seriously considering the offer of Mayor Cuerpo for the use of the sanitary landfill in his municipality. We are in the process of consulting with other stakeholders in this issue," MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said.
Among the factors that the MMDA is considering before accepting the offer is the "distance" of the landfill and whether the offer if taken is "cost-effective."
Earlier, MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno said they are ready to look at the proposal but added that they still have to study whether the Montalban Sanitary Waste Disposal Facility (MSWDF) can still accommodate the metropolis garbage.
Cuerpo said they are willing to offer a 40 percent discount to the MMDA, local government units (LGUs) in the National Capital Region (NCR), and private garbage haulers who intend to use the Montalban Solid Waste Disposal Facility (MSWDF).
He said the facility, which was the subject of much controversy last year after the Provincial Government headed by Governor Casimiro Ynares III ordered its closure, can still be utilize contrary to reports that its lifespan has already been reached.
"The sanitary landfill can still accommodate garbage for up to two years so, much savings can be generated if the concerned government agencies and officials will justly take a look at our proposal," Cuerpo said.
The official said the present rate the MMDA is paying the private landfill operator in disposing of the metropolis' garbage, which stood at about P600 per metric ton, will go down to P360 per metric ton if his proposal is accepted.
"If the MMDA decides to utilize the MSWDF, a considerable amount will be saved by the agency considering its official estimate that Metro Manila produces 8,000 tons of garbage daily," Cuerpo said.
After its closure late last year, the Provincial Government then opened a new 19-hectare sanitary landfill, a facility owned by the private entity International Swims Inc., was opened in November last year to serve the requirements of the clustered and bigger municipalities of Rizal.
Cuerpo has termed the opening of the new landfill "illegal" and maintained on Sunday that the MSWDF is open for the metropolis' wastes.
It can accommodate about 4,000 metric tons of wastes of the 8,000 tons generated by Metro Manila on a daily basis.
Cuerpo said the MMDA would be able to save as much as P700 million on an annual basis if his proposal is accepted and the MSWDF is opened for use.
At present, the MMDA spent about P1.75 billion for the garbage disposal needs of the metropolis.
"I am very optimistic that the proposed reduction in the cost of garbage disposal will be highly considered by the MMDA and LGUs of Metro Manila," Cuerpo said, adding that the amount saved could then be used for other government projects. (AH/Sunnex)
