The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and two local government leaders from Central Luzon are calling on the government to take decisive action in evaluating the capabilities of alternative sanitary landfills proposed by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA). This comes in light of the looming closure of the lone-engineered sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac, scheduled for October.
Armina Belleza Llamas, Deputy Administrator for Corporate Communications at SBMA, highlighted the serious consequences of the Kalangitan sanitary landfill’s impending shutdown.
She emphasized the potential for significant environmental damage in Central Luzon and stressed that the SBMA, which has contracted Metro Clark Waste Management (MCWM) for waste disposal services in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, will ensure compliance with their agreement until 2025.
The closure of the Kalangitan facility presents an imminent threat not only to Region 3 but to the entire country, necessitating a coordinated response from both government and private sector stakeholders. SBMA assures its stakeholders that it will continue to prioritize waste management and seek innovative solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of this situation.
Meanwhile, City of San Fernando Mayor Vilma Caluag has stated that the government is responsible for assessing the capabilities of alternative landfills and ensuring they meet regulatory standards. She pointed out that developing a new site proposed by BCDA could take at least a year, which poses a risk given the urgent need for a replacement facility.
Caluag expressed concern over the severe impact the landfill’s closure would have on her city and the broader Central Luzon region. San Fernando generates 120 to 125 metric tons of waste daily, and the closure would significantly disrupt waste management. She urged for the retention of the Kalangitan landfill until a viable alternative is ready.
Echoing Caluag’s concerns, Capas Mayor Roseller Rodriguez emphasized that the government must ensure any alternative waste facilities are environmentally compliant and able to handle the region’s waste. He warned of a potential garbage crisis if the current landfill closes without a suitable replacement.
Over 100 LGUs in Central and Northern Luzon have petitioned the government to delay the closure of the Kalangitan landfill, highlighting its critical role in regional waste management. They argue that closing the facility without a comparable alternative could precipitate a severe waste management crisis affecting millions. These LGUs urge the government to seek sustainable, long-term solutions to the region’s growing waste management needs.
In a related concern, handlers of hospital and toxic wastes, such as KLAD Sanitation Services, have warned of a major health crisis if the planned closure proceeds. Currently, the environmentally compliant MCWMC operates the Capas waste facility, handling 4,000 to 5,000 metric tons of waste daily.
It is imperative that the government takes the lead in addressing these concerns by thoroughly evaluating and ensuring the viability of alternative landfills to prevent a potentially catastrophic disruption in waste management across Central Luzon. Failure to act promptly could lead to severe environmental, health, and logistical crises, underscoring the urgent need for a proactive and sustainable approach to waste management infrastructure.