Baguio City waste hauled to Tarlac

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The accumulated waste since the Irisan dumpsite was barricaded on July 14 was brought to Capas, Tarlac Thursday afternoon. Private hauler Metro Waste dispatched fifteen trucks to collect garbage brought to the Irisan dumpsite now used as a transfer station. Payment for the private hauler will be on a per trip basis, Baguio City Administrator Peter Fianza said. He added that if the city is able to negotiate in areas nearer Baguio, the city will forego its deal with Metro Waste. Garbage collection however, will remain irregular until the city is able to ink a deal with Naguilian, Bauang in La Union or La Trinidad for a temporary use of their dumpsites, Fianza said. Garbage trucks of the City Government meanwhile will start collecting first in priority areas like the market, the central business district, national roads and in city roads. For the barangays, Fianza asked officials to advise household owners to contain their waste. Residual waste should be kept dry and biodegradable waste should be composted. Fianza said the city also plans on asking the Department of Agriculture (DA) Director Cesar Rodriguez to allow usage of a portion of the Dairy Farm for the city's biodegradable wastes. On Thursday morning, Baguio's barangay chairmen were given five pairs of gloves each and later on, facemasks for their use when they collect garbage from households. Fianza said waste reduction is still the best remedy at this time. Meanwhile, Councilor Antonio Tabora Jr. said the list of probable sites for a temporary dump area and landfill has been short-listed. He said proposals will be sent within the week to the Municipal Council of Naguilian for their deliberation and for the calling of a public hearing. Tabora said even the temporary use of the dumpsite will need public approval. For a sanitary landfill, the city is also considering a 12-hectare property in Sablan, Benguet. Areas in Baguio such as Pula, Sto. Tomas and Philex, which were earlier identified as temporary dumping sites have been de-listed. In the case of Sto. Tomas, Tabora said the terrain would make it difficult for the city's trucks to navigate the area, while the Philex dumpsite is also being used by the company. At the City Council, Baguio Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas proposed for the purchase of pulverizing machines, which could turn plastic into binding agents for the production of cement blocks and building blocks. The pulverizing machine, he said, can further help reduce the amount of waste produced. - Sun.Star Baguio