Reyes acts on Metro garbage woes

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo T. Reyes has recommended to President Arroyo the immediate implementation of an integrated municipal solid waste management system for Metro Manila to provide a long term solution to the metropolis’ waste management problems.

Reyes, who also chairs the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) is expected to act on the NSWMC technical working group’s recommendations for the implementation of the Jancom Environmental Corp.’s bid to construct and operate transfer station, materials recovery facilities and sanitary landfills in compliance with Republic Act 9003.

Under the project, the sanitary landfills to be located in Doña Remedios Trinidad in Bulacan and Tanay, Rizal shall include the construction and operation of composting facility and a special cell for special household hazardous and medical wastes and separate transport vehicles.

The company is expected to act on the bulk of the Metro Manila garbage while local government units shall still have the responsibility of waste collection and recycling while waste disposal will remain the responsibility of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Metro Manila generates an average of 7,000 to 8,000 metric tons of waste per day and a good portion of these wastes are illegally dumped in waterways which gives rise to flooding and pollution of rivers and creeks.

Highly urbanized Metro Manila occupies a mere 0.5 percent of the country’s land area and houses only 13 percent of the Philippine population, yet the metropolis generates 23 percent of the country’s wastes. Hence, the need for a speedy and lasting solution for its garbage woes is in the offing.

Only about 900 metric tons of the 7,000 metric tons of daily wastes are recycled while 40 percent of the total wastes are considered toxic and hazardous. Another 47 percent of the wastes are generated by hospitals and are considered medical wastes.

Lawyer Zoilo L. Andin Jr., NSWMC/S executive director, favorably recommended to Reyes the endorsement of the proposed amended agreement with Jancom for submission to the President and the Metro Manila Council.

The use of new sanitary landfills in Bulacan and Rizal are expected to correct the environmentally unsafe conditions prevailing in Payatas, Pier 18 and Montalban dumpsites.