‘Don’t extend San Mateo dump closure’

Residents of Rizal province warned the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) against extending the Dec. 31 deadline for the closure of the San Mateo landfill.

The warning was issued by A-Homes, an association of subdivision and village associations in Rizal province, as apprehension rose upon their learning that the results of the bidding for a new sanitary landfill continues to be delayed.

Ely Kasilag, A-Homes spokesman, said they are greatly concerned about the statements of Eduardo Mejos, MMDA assistant manager for finance and concurrent Pre-qualifications, Bids, and Awards Committee chairman, that the results of the bidding will not be known by the end of the year.

Mejos cited two court orders suspending the bidding which had made the PBAC helpless in implementing the critical project.

One such legal case was filed by Jandom of Australia against the Greater Metro Manila Solid Waste Management (GMMSWMC).

"They have been given a long time to look for a new landfill. Now that the deadline is again drawing near, we seem to hear hints from the MMDA that the closure might be put off. That is unacceptable. The people of Rizal will rally against an extension," Kasilag said. – Rainier Allan Ronda