Apas folk oppose recycling machine

CEBU, Philippines –  Claiming it poses a risk to health and the environment, a homeowners group in Barangay Apas, Cebu City is opposing the operation of a newly-installed composting machine situated near a residential area.

The group is referring to the “ITDI Bioreactor ST 1000,” a waste material recycling machine.

The group is also opposing the planned Material Recovery Facility, which is a joint project undertaken by the barangay and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – 7 through the Environmental Management Bureau that is funding the venture.

The Central Command AFP Families of Active and Retired Military Personnel, Civilian Homeowners Association Incorporated (CFARMPCHAI) recently brought their concern to Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

The group’s officials and board members also appealed to concerned government offices to stop the operation of the “incinerator garbage treatment facility” and other related activity conducted in the area saying that it was a “hastily planned project.”

They claimed that the facility, which may emit foul odor during the operation, may cause possible hazardous effects to the affected area, stressing that waste facilities must be operating far away from houses.

The group also pointed out that there are no appropriate documents or approval from the local government units and the residents of the area.

EMB-7’s Engr. Ivanlee Montejo explained, however, that the bioreactor is not used as an incinerator but in composting organic solid wastes.

He also pointed out that the proposed MRF, if given a chance to proceed, can help put in place the proper system of managing solid wastes for the area.

“Its purpose is indeed beneficial and not detrimental to the adjacent community. The reaction of the residents to the said project is possibly due to lack of proper coordination with and information of the nearby residents,” Montejo’s investigation report reads.

Montejo revealed that Joellito Lascuna, the barangay in-charge for technical assistance for infrastructure, and Eusebio Bacasno, who is the MRF in-charge, called up a meeting with the residents to discuss the project but the reportedly did not get any response.

“They (Lascuna and Bacasno) also disclosed that the CentCom gave their permission in using the area for the construction and operation of MRF and they have the MOA to prove their statement,” Montejo said.

DENR-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said the construction of an MRF at the barangay is mandated by Republic Act 9003 to usher in an ecological solid waste management program and create its necessary institutional mechanisms.

“In Cebu City, MRF is really needed and we encourage the establishment of the facility to lessen the volume of garbage that will be brought to the landfill, particularly that the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill has been closed already,” Llamedo said, adding, that the MRF is only a temporary site for garbage.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said the barangay officials simply adhered to the law and regulations in constructing the facility with the permission from CentCom.  —/JMO (FREEMAN)