CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – As the province generates 1,034.15 metric tons or 76 truckloads of waste per day, Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda and Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation (MCWMC) Chief Executive Officer Rufo Colayco are eyeing to jointly establish three transfer stations to lessen the expenditures of the province on solid waste disposal and management.
This proposal was ventilated as the majority of the local government units (LGUs) including the provincial government aired their concern on the expenses incurred for the hauling and garbage tipping fees.
“Actually, pwede tayong magtayo ng transfer stations para hindi na mahirapan pa yung mga dump trucks sa pagdidispose ng basura, “Colayco said.
Colayco pointed out that this proposed transfer station could be funded by the corporation provided the LGUs would commit to deliver all waste materials to the MCWMC.
“Kami na bahala sa maintenance at facilities basta bigyan lang kami ng Capitol ng area para sa transfer station,” he promised.
In response, Governor Pineda vowed to help the MCWMC in the purchase or donation of lots for transfer station somewhere in Lubao, Mexico and in Barangay Lara, this city.
Records from the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) have it that in 2018, the province was able to dispose 153,475.64 cubic meters of waste materials in Metro Clark Sanitary Landfill with a total cost of P94,775,447.20 which is equivalent to 40 percent increase in volume and 42.08 percent increase in expenses compared to 2017.
One of the critical problems the provincial government is looking at the moment is the volume of generated waste being produced by people every day with an average waste per capita of 0.42 kilograms.
Based on the latest report released by the PGENRO, the province generates 1,034.15 metric tons of waste a day which is equivalent to 76 truckloads (Under the assumption that each truckload weighs more or less 13.5 metric tons). That is 28,956.4 metric tons of waste per year which is equivalent to 25,759 truckloads.
The governor also requested for the clustering of 5-6 barangays per truck to ensure that all dump trucks being deployed by the provincial government are properly utilized.
The governor asked also for the cooperation of LGUs to propose probable actions to properly manage the massive waste being produced and collected every day to resolve this issue on the excessive amount of garbage.
“ Yung mga Kapitan dapat kayo na dapat nagmomonitor ng mga collection ng basura , wag niyo nang paproblema pa yan sa mga Mayor niyo. Dapat gumawa kayo ng mga projects and programs upang maeduacate at mainform ang mga nasasakupan niyo tungkol sa tamang pag segregate ng basura”, the governor said.
According to the lady governor, the local barangays lack sufficient facilities and machinery to conduct their daily collections that’s why dumping of garbage is very prominent.
“Yung mga barangays natin, bakit hindi kayo magrequest o humingi ng tulong sa kapitilyo kapag nasisira mga dump truck niyo. If walang truck, walang collection. If walang collection, tatapon ng mga tao ang mga basura nila kahit saan. Wag niyo rin iasa lahat sa scavenger, magrequest rin kayo ng mga loader at backhoe sa mga MRF niyo para mapadali ang garbage collection niyo,” she furthered.
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Provincial Director Myrvi Fabia recognized the efforts of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities in their respective municipalities.
Relative to this, she pledged to coordinate and follow up with the DILG about the status of the resolution to appoint permanent MENRO in respective municipalities and cities so as to give credit to their efforts and services.
The governor added that maintaining a clean and safe environment through addressing garbage issue is tantamount in ensuring the health and well-being of the people.
She pointed out also that garbage is the root cause of the other health problems in the community. That is why it’s about time to make some actions before it’s too late.
Present in the event were Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 3 OIC- Chief on Construction Division Engr. Loreta Malaluan, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Laudemir Salac, MCWMC Officer Holger Holst, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Cayabyab-Pineda, Guagua Mayor Dante Torres, Third District Board Member Jun Canlas, and other Local Government Unit Officers and PGENRO Arthur Punsalan. — LUISSE GABRIELLE RUTAO