Establishment of 3 transfer stations eyed in Pampanga

AS THE City of San Fernando generates 1,034.15 metric tons or 76 truckloads of waste per day, Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda and Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation (MCWMC) Chief Executive Officer Rufo Colayco are eyeing to jointly establish three transfer stations to lessen the expenditures of the province on solid waste disposal and management.

This proposal was ventilated as the majority of the local government units (LGUs) including the provincial government aired their concern on the expenses incurred for the hauling and garbage tipping fees.

“Actually, we can establish transfer stations so dump trucks will not encounter difficulties in garbage disposal,” Colayco said.

Colayco pointed out that the proposed transfer stations could be funded by the corporation provided the LGUs would commit to deliver all waste materials to the MCWMC.

“We will take care of the maintenance and facilities so long as Capitol gives as the area for the transfer stations,” he promised.

In response, Governor Pineda vowed to help the MCWMC in the purchase or donation of lots for transfer stations somewhere in Lubao, Mexico and in Barangay Lara, City of San Fernando.

Records from the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) have it that in 2018, the province was able to dispose 153,475.64 cubic meters of waste materials in Metro Clark Sanitary Landfill with a total cost of P94,775,447.20 which is equivalent to 40 percent increase in volume and 42.08 percent increase in expenses compared to 2017.

One of the critical problems the provincial government is looking at the moment is the volume of generated waste being produced by people every day with an average waste per capita of 0.42 kilograms.

Based on the latest report released by the PGENRO, the province generates 1,034.15 metric tons of waste a day which is equivalent to 76 truckloads (under the assumption that each truckload weighs more or less 13.5 metric tons). That is 28,956.4 metric tons of waste per year which is equivalent to 25,759 truckloads.

The governor also requested for the clustering of five to six barangays per truck to ensure that all dump trucks being deployed by the provincial government are properly utilized.

The governor asked also for the cooperation of LGUs to propose probable actions to properly manage the massive waste being produced and collected every day to resolve this issue on the excessive amount of garbage.

“The barangay captain should monitor the collection of garbage and not let it be a problem of the mayor. They should create projects and programs to educate their constituents on proper segregation of waste,” the governor said.

According to the lady governor, barangays lack sufficient facilities and machinery to conduct their daily collections that’s why dumping of garbage is very prominent.

“Why don’t our barangays request or ask assistance from Capitol when dump trucks breakdown? Because if there is no dump truck, there is no collection. And when there is no collection, people throw garbage anywhere. Don’t also rely on scavengers but rather request for a backhoe and loaders for your MRFs [material recovery facilities] to facilitate garbage collection,” she furthered.

Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Myrvi Fabia recognized the efforts of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (Menro) in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities in their respective municipalities.

Relative to this, she pledged to coordinate and follow up with the DILG the status of the resolution to appoint permanent Menros in respective municipalities and cities so as to give credit to their efforts and services.

The governor added that maintaining a clean and safe environment through addressing the garbage issue is tantamount to ensuring the health and wellbeing of the people.

She pointed out also that garbage is the root cause of other health problems in the community. That is why it’s about time to make some actions before it’s too late, she said.

Present in the meeting were Department of Public Works and Highways- Central Luzon OIC-Chief on Construction Division Engr. Loreta Malaluan, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Laudemir Salac, MCWMC Officer Holger Holst, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Cayabyab-Pineda, Guagua Mayor Dante Torres, Third District Board Member Anianas Canlas, Jr., PGENRO head Arthur Punsalan and other local government unit officials. (PR)