Metro Manila barred from Rizal dumpsite

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila was barred anew from dumping waste at the 19-hectare sanitary landfill in the town of Rodriguez, Rizal province after its temporary permit lapsed on June 20. The 45-day temporary permit was issued by Rizal Governor Casimiro S. Ynares III to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani S. Fernando on May 6. In a press statement, the Rizal government announced that garbage haulers from Metro Manila were barred from using the landfill since Monday. Mr. Ynares said that the Rizal government will not renew or issue another permit to the MMDA until the Rizal provincial board comes up with a final resolution on another six-month extension request from Mr. Fernando. The 19-hectare sanitary landfill, is owned by the private entity Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialist International (SWIMS). On Nov. 6, 2007, the company accommodated MMDA’s request for a six-month use of the facility to avert a looming garbage crisis. In a telephone interview, MMDA General Manager Robert M. Nacianceno said its dump trucks were rerouted to existing landfills in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, such as Pier 18 in Intramuros, Manila, Payatas in Quezon City, Tanza in Navotas, San Pedro in Laguna and Clark in Pampanga. "There was no delay in the collection and disposal of garbage because we have already coordinated with the management of these existing landfills early on, anticipating that the Rizal government will not grant another extension," Mr. Nacianceno said. Agreement He added that the MMDA and Norzagaray Mayor Feliciano P. Legaspi had an agreement that the Bulacan municipality will accept garbage from Metro Manila when the facility opens this month. The 18-hectare sanitary landfill in Norzagaray initially opened on Jan. 18 for the garbage of its residents, but Mr. Legaspi in earlier reports pledged to accept wastes from Metro Manila and Central Luzon provinces when the landfill formally opens. "The Norzagaray landfill has already secured an environmental compliance certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as early as January. In my dialogue with Mr. Legaspi, he said they are just tuning up their facilities and would soon open, probably this month, or early July," Mr. Legaspi said. BusinessWorld tried to reach Mr. Legaspi, but he could not be reached as of press time. - BusinessWorld