Lapid, Yap back landfill project — CDC

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — Governors Lito Lapid of Pampanga and Jose Yap of Tarlac have thrown their support behind the delayed 100-hectare landfill project of the Clark Development Corp., CDC president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Angeles said.

This, despite opposition from officials of Capas, Tarlac where the proposed site of the landfill is.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued an environmental clearance certificate (ECC) to the project, but the CDC has yet to begin work on the landfill, now spending its time explaining to local leaders the benefits of such a venture.

The proposed landfill is touted to be the first of its kind in the country, and a safer alternative to open dumpsites which are sprouting throughout Central Luzon.

Commenting on the landfill as an alternative to dumpsites, Tarlac Rep. Jesli Lapus said, "Nothing can be worse than the worst (open dumpsites)."

Capas Mayor Rey Catacutan, however, said he remains opposed to the project, adding that his government will itself undertake a waste segregation project. Capas maintains at least three open dumpsites.

"The project has been there for years now and it is high time that it be completed soonest. The garbage situation in Central Luzon is worsening," Angeles said.

The project will initially cost P180 million to be shouldered by a German consortium which the CDC has contracted.

"In the first place, the landfill was primarily intended for the needs of investors at the Clark special economic zone and it is located in an area within the CDC’s jurisdiction," Angeles said.

He stressed, however, that the landfill, which will have a 25-year life span, will not be used for Metro Manila’s garbage.

Angeles, however, said local governments in Central Luzon can negotiate their use of the landfill.

"That landfill can finally clean up those unhealthy and dangerous dumpsites," he said.

Despite compliance with all requirements for the landfill project, the CDC is still holding more dialogues to convince local folk about the benefits of the venture.

The project is expected to be the first modern integrated waste management facility in Asia. It will have segregation, recycling and composting facilities, leachate storage ponds and even a power plant to be run by methane which wastes produce.