Toledo residents complain of poor landfill maintenance

CEBU, Philippines — Residents of barangays Putingbato and Canlumampao in Toledo City are complaining of the poor maintenance of the sanitary landfill in Barangay Putingbato.

One resident of Putingbato who asked not to be named complained of the foul smell from the landfill and they also noticed the increase of flies which they believe is caused by the wastes.

Another resident said they are worried that the water leaking from the landfill might affect their water supply.

He spent almost P90,000 to construct a water tank and he fears they might not be able  to use the water as they noticed the supply is already smelly.

Farmers of Barangay Canlumampao also complained that the water leaking from the landfill has affected the water supply that they use in their irrigation.

Manuel Cuizon, a farmer, revealed that they had skin irritation after tending to their rice fields.

Eduardo Alicaba, former barangay captain of Canlumampao and head of the farmer’s association, said that about 100 hectares of rice field was affected by the dirty water from the landfill.

Almost 200 hectares of paddies were ready to be planted with rice but about 20 hectares will not utilized as farmers fear that they might get skin problems because of dirty water.

Councilor Shirly Mabida of Barangay Canlumampao and head of the Committee on Solid Waste Management said that they have reported the matter to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office CENRO of Toledo City.

CENRO assured that they will find a way to solve the problem but they have not received any update from the office until now.

Canlumampao Barangay Captrain Irene Gerale said that around 4,000 residents of her barangay are affected by the dirty water leaking from the landfil.

Some of their water sources are already contaminated and the no longer bring their cows and carabaos to the river.

Gerale is calling on the officials of Toledo City to give attention to the problem. (FREEMAN)