Consolacion gets kudos for closing dump

CEBU, Philippines - Environmentalists in Metro Cebu yesterday lauded the municipal government of Consolacion for closing its open dumpsite in barangay Polog.

Lawyer Benjamin Cabrido, Jr., representing Global Legal Action on Climate Change and member of the Philippine Earth Justice Center Inc., said other local government units in Metro Cebu should replicate the Consolacion model.

Cabrido said some local government units in Cebu neglect their duties and responsibilities with regards to protecting the environment.

 He said some chief executives don’t prioritize the preservation of the environment.

“Nalipay kita nga ang mga opisyal sa lungsod sa Consolacion nagpakabana gayud sa atong problema kabahin sa basura ug nasubo sad ta nga daghan usab ang wala mutuman,” Cabrido said.

Earlier, Cabrido blamed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials in Central Visayas for failing to implement the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Last month, the municipality of Consolacion closed its dumpsite in barangay Polog and convert it into a Material Recovery Facility.

The town now unloads its garbage unto a privately-owned sanitary landfill which is adjacent to the old dumpsite.

The landfill is owned and operated by Asian EnergySystem Corporation.

Consolacion, which is composed of 21 barangays, produces 20 to 25 tons of garbage everyday.

The volume is expected to increase as soon as the SM Mall in barangay Cansaga starts operating.

A memorandum of agreement was signed between Asian Energy System Corporation and the local government agreeing on a joint cooperation and collaboration to ensure the success of the facility.

The agreement states that the dumpsite will accommodate all garbage and other solid wastes, except hazardous and toxic ones.

It will also accommodate garbage from adjoining towns and cities as well as private entities within the Province of Cebu.

The state-of-the art sanitary landfill in Consolacion, which was inaugurated in December last year, is the first in Cebu and is seen to solve for a significant period of time the garbage problem of Metro Cebu.

Those who wish to avail of the facility will have to pay specific tipping fees to Asian Energy Systems Corporation.