HERMOSA, Bataan – The local government unit in this first class municipality has opened the “Hermosa Sanitary Landfill Facility” – the first in the province.
Hermosa Mayor Jopet Inton said that only properly segregated wastes will be admitted for disposal. He also invites other Bataan LGUs to dump their solid wastes here citing much cheaper rates as compared to Metro Clark in Capas, Tarlac.
The Hermosa SLF is being operated by ECONEST Waste Management Corporation with business address located at 168 National Road, Barangay Mambog in this town.
As a measure of corporate social responsibility, Econest is committed to devote a certain percentage of their net profits from the SLF operations for the benefit and empowerment of Hermosa Ecoguardians to improve their lives through livelihood trainings, capacity building programs and micro loans for start-up capital for MSMEs. The company also gives ree organic fertilizers for small-scale farmers.
The Ecoguardians are Hermosa’s very own volunteer community leaders in ensuring compliance with proper municipal solid waste management in their own neighborhoods. They are an accredited people’s organization composed of senior citizens, persons with different abilities, solo parents, out of school youths, barangay health workers and the beneficiaries of the 4Ps program of the national government.
The group is also tasked to conduct information dissemination and educational campaign among constituents and is duty-bound to report violators of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002 (R.A. 9003).
Mayor Jopet added that this project is the municipal government’s compliance with Republic Act 9003. He also ordered the closure of their open dumpsite.
Sanitary landfills are the waves of the future. They are strategically and scientifically planned and geographically appropriate as they are commonly located farthest from residential areas and are consistently managed with daily soil coverings and live enzymes to significantly minimize foul odor from the garbage.
“Masaya ako kasi very cooperative ang aming mga kababayan sa proyektong ito. And I would also like to thank everyone for their participation,” Inton commented in an interview with this reporter. –Mhike R. Cigaral