GMA backs trash recycling scheme

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved yesterday the appropriation of P1.9 billion to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) for the implementation of its segregation, recycling and composting project in Metro Manila.

MMDA chairman Benjamin Abalos disclosed the President and her Cabinet have agreed that budget for the project would be taken from the funds originally allocated for the sanitary landfill project of the MMDA during the previous administration.

Abalos explained that the project intends to develop recycling and composting facilities in each of the 17 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila.

He added that Mrs. Arroyo has agreed to tap the unprogrammed funds in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to jump start the program. "That was the amount intended before for the landfill which in turn we will just divert for the use of the facilities for composting and segregation," Abalos said.

Abalos also said that he is optimistic the new program would be the ultimate solution to the garbage problem in Metro Manila.

Abalos said the project, which conformed with the newly signed law on Solid Waste Management Act, would be finalized during the first "Garbage Summit" to be convened by Mrs. Arroyo on Friday at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

"The President is happy about it (new garbage scheme). The President is looking forward to the summit for a final solution to our garbage problem," Abalos said.

In a press briefing after the Cabinet meeting, Abalos said this "self-liquidating" project will aim to establish recycling and composting facilities in each of the cities and municipalities in Metro Manila.

To jump start this project, Abalos said he sought had clearance from Malacañang to tap the unprogrammed funds in the DPWH for the project. The DPWH is one of the government agencies involved in this project.

"That’s what I was asking for and I was assured that there is some unprogrammed money for this from the Public Works in the meantime," Abalos said.

Abalos also revealed the MMDA is contemplating to abandon the cases involving the bidding for sanitary landfills undertaken during the past administration.

He said the previous two biddings conducted by his predecessor Jejomar Binay and former Flagship Projects Secretary Roberto Aventajado for a permanent and temporary sanitary landfill would most likely be scrapped to give way to a new program on segregation, recycling and composting.

However, at least one of the groups that were seriously involved in the previous biddings has expressed its concern about Abalos’ revelation.

John Joseph Gabriel Puson of the Pro-Environment Consortium has indicated that they are going to pursue their claims on the previous biddings for a permanent landfill in which they were one of the major contenders.