Talks for reopening of San Mateo landfill on

Talks on the reopening of the San Mateo landfill has started between the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Rizal provincial government.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando said yesterday that he has talked to the provincial officials, particularly Gov. Rebecca Ynares, on several possible options for the reopening. "We are conducting exploratory talks. We are trying to convince the officials of Rizal to reconsider," Fernando said.

Fernando has offered to the provincial government the operation and control of the dumpsite as one of the options for its reopening. The landfill is owned by the MMDA and since its closure at the end of the year 2000, no one has been able to utilize the dumpsite.

According to Fernando, the facility is still good for six more years of use contrary to the claims by critics that it has already exceeded its life span.

Fernando also revealed that the MMDA is offering to pay the provincial government for the use of the facility even though the MMDA owns it.

The move of Fernando is the complete opposite of the hard stance taken by his predecessors that no one can use the facility if the MMDA is not allowed to operate it.

Fernando pointed out that the province of Rizal would also greatly benefit from the reopening of the San Mateo facility because there are no dumpsites anywhere in the province.

Reports have indicated that several of the towns of Rizal have been using open dumpsites for the disposal of their garbage which are illegal under environmental laws.

"The province of Rizal is also in need of a dumpsite. We are trying our best to get that important dumpsite operational," said Fernando.

The MMDA has sought the help of Malacañang in the reopening of the San Mateo landfill as well as the Carmona landfill in Cavite, both of which were prematurely closed due to strong opposition.

In a previous study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency it was recommended that both facilities remain open for the remainder of their life span to prevent a garbage crisis in Metro Manila. – Marvin Sy