The city government is working to relocate its sanitary landfill facility to a 5,000-hectare land in Brgy. Bahile by early next year to solve the garbage problems.
Atty. Carlo Gomez, city environment and natural resources officer, said this proposed landfill has been conceptualized two years ago to be a “low-cost” P40-million dumping site.
“Iyong ating landfill [sa Sta. Lourdes] I think was priced at P200 million… ang kino-conceptualize namin ngayon is only P40 million. Ang initial budget na ipino-propose natin ngayon sa supplemental is P100 million for documentary requirements at saka professional accommodations and transportation ng mga technical persons that will conduct a geo-hazard assessment and also for the creation of the design,” Gomez said.
The 5,000-hectare land in Bahile will include a buffer zone, a 200-hectare inner perimeter, and a 50-hectare main operating area, he said.
Gomez said transferring the landfill in the barangay will also provide livelihood opportunities.
“Ang segregation ay ipra-practice natin. So, ‘yong mga recyclables puwede ‘yong pagkakitaan ng community,” Gomez said.
With the growing population of the city, increasing volume of tourists and commercial establishments, Puerto Princesa is now producing 135 tons of solid waste every single day, he pointed out.
Gomez said they already drew a map of the Bahile landfill and conducted an assessment of the area.
He said they are now in the process of accomplishing the “suitability and geological hazard assessment tests” before finally presenting the plan to the city council.
The city, Gomez also noted, also needs to secure an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and a Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) clearance from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).
He added that they intend to strictly enforce better management rules in operating the landfill.
The project could also provide livelihood opportunities to the communities in Brgy. Bahile and the surrounding communities.
“Nag-initial [public consultation] na kami. Actually, may endorsement na kaming nakuha sa Brgy. Bahile. Ang second salvo namin with them hindi na consultation, it is more of capacity training na…, Sabi ni Mayor [Bayron] siya ang magde-desisyon kung kalian niya gagawin because he will lead the activity,” said Gomez.
Meanwhile, Gomez said the Sta. Lourdes landfill will be rehabilitated.
