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| The Laoag dumpsite before the massive cleanup (Alwin Formantes) |
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| The Laoag dumpsite after the massive cleanup (Alwin Formantes) |
By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—Brgy. Lagui residents assailed the proposed expansion and conversion of the existing controlled dumpsite here into a sanitary landfill.
In a recent assembly and consultation, the residents questioned the operation of the dumpsite and the plan to convert it into a landfill.
Laoag City government department heads also attended the said consultation, where the residents complained about the foul odor emanating from the dumpsite. They also raised concerns on the health hazards presented by liquid coming from the dumpsite.
The residents told The Ilocos Times that they believe their wells are no longer safe; they disclosed that the water’s color has turned “brownish”.
Brgy. Lagui chairperson Rey Ramos, meanwhile confirmed the opposition of his constituents on the plans for the dumpsite. He stressed that his barangay mates no longer want the dumpsite in their area.
CVF appeals to Lagui residents
Reacting to this, Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas appealed to the Lagui residents to help the city government in resolving the current problems of the dumpsite. She pointed out that only the Lagui residents “could solve the problem by allowing the proposed expansion.”
Ms. Fariñas asked them to “give her a chance and support the expansion”; she divulged that the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) recommended the current dumpsite location as the best venue for the sanitary landfill.
The DENR has already given its approval for landfill purposes after the soil in the area was tested.
Ms. Fariñas said she plans to personally visit the barangay and sit down with the residents. She added that she will seek DENR’s help in doing so.
Waste volume
Ms. Fariñas also explained that the waste volume in the city has increased. She said the dumpsite’s fence have been raised to contain the waste. She also mentioned that they constructed a canal to divert water from the dumpsite away from residents.
With the current influx of investments in the city, she said waste volume in the city would only increase.
“Isu ngarud ta kasapulak iti talaga tulong iti kalugaran tayo nang-nangruna kadagiti appo a taga Brgy. Lagui Sail,” she appealed adding: “Let this be their contribution met nga ibati da kas parte da met iti community-building.”
With this in mind, Ms. Fariñas said she is again reiterating that everyone in the city should help in the implementation of the zero waste management program as well as proper waste segregation.
Amendment to Oplan Dalus
Meanwhile, Laoag Liga ng mga Barangay president Mary Michelle Louise “Mikee” V. Fariñas is proposing to amend the city’s Oplan Dalus Code. The said code is the city’s main waste management code.
The younger Fariñas said she plans to amend the fines and penalties for violators of the code, with special emphasis on business establishments.
Sanitary landfill a PPP project
The planned landfill conversion will be a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Laoag government and the Government of Laoag Employees Development Cooperative (GLEDCO).
Mayor Fariñas explained that it will be GLEDCO which will purchase the 6-hectare lot and the city government will be in charge of garbage collection.
The city government will also chip in the purchase of heavy equipment for the planned landfill’s use.
GLEDCO general manager Edgar Pascual confirmed the plan for the cooperative to purchase the additional 6-hectare lot.
Mr. Pascual, who is also the city government accounting officer, added that the PPP project is part of GLEDCO’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) project, which focuses on environmental protection.
Should the plan pushes through, Mr. Pascual said GLEDCO will adopt the Villa Foundation model. The model, he explained, will focus on turning wastes into hollow block, pavers and fertilizers among others. He added that they will also plant trees around the area.
Maximum capacity
Laoag’s engineering officer Engr. Roy Tomas said though the dumpsite is currently still operational, it will soon reach its maximum capacity.
He stressed that this is the main reason for the proposed expansion.
He revealed that around 30 truckloads of wastes are being dumped daily.
The said dumpsite was also ordered closed by the DENR through its Environment Management Bureau (EMB).