"There are no more garbage piles in Quezon City," Belmonte told reporters during the weekly "Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel" forum in Quezon City. He said among the measures introduced by his administration was the closing of the Payatas garbage dumpsite to other local government units, in Metro Manila, setting it aside for the exclusive use of the Quezon City government.
Systematic deployment of garbage trucks also helped in the resolution of the garbage crisis.
The Quezon City mayor also said that the efficient system has resulted in the savings of at least P16 million for the city government.
To keep up the systematic disposal of garbage, Belmonte urged business establishments to take charge of the cleaning and collection of garbage in their premises. He also said that the government is now addressing the problem of ambulant vendors particularly in Commonwealth Avenue where some 3,000 vendors caused traffic jams.
To keep a record of vendors, the city has conducted regular head counts to determine the origin and identity of vendors occupying the streets.
He said, out of the over 3,000 vendors that occupied Commonwealth, they were able to reduce the number to 700 who were relocated in the new market.
Belmonte also appealed to the Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to construct a flyover across Commonwealth and Litex Road to accommodate some 300,000 pedestrians.
He said the construction of a pedestrian overpass would solve the traffic congestion in the area.
Meanwhile, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has approved the release of P40 million to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority for the development of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at the Rodriguez, Rizal landfill.
MMDA Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. reported that the P40 million would be taken from the President’s social fund. – Marvin Sy and Perseus Echeminada