ILOILO CITY, July 7 (PIA) – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Region VI said there is a process that must be followed as well as requirements that have to be complied with especially by local government units when requesting for the conduct of a sanitary landfill site assessment.
The process and requirements were presented by Mae Y. Magarzo, Chief Geologist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, DENR Region 6, during the recent 2nd quarter meeting of the Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC). The RLUC facilitated the virtual meeting following health and safety protocols in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The assessment is designed to determine the suitability of a proposed sanitary landfill site and is done by the MGB. It is a basis for the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) for the establishment of the facility.
Topping the list of must-do’s is the letter addressed to the Regional Director of the MGB from LGUs concerned requesting for the conduct of Geo-Environmental Assessment of their proposed sanitary landfill site.
The following requirements must also be submitted at 4 copies each: a) Vicinity/Location Map; b) Lot Plan with Technical Description and Tie Line; c) Proposed/Approved Site Development Plan; d) Topographic Map/Plan; e) Grading Plan (if applicable); f) WACS (Waste Analysis and Characterization Study).
Compliance with requirements will be followed by field assessment as to, among others, topography and geohazards, as well as test pitting, submission of soil samples for laboratory analysis and preparation and ensorsement of the report.
Magarzo also explained during the meeting that in assessing a possible sanitary landfill site, the following criteria are used: area capacity and availability, haul distance, proximity to sensitive groundwater resources, proximity to perennial surface water, the occurrence of flooding, proximity to sensitive land users, local ecological conditions, current and future land use, seismic condition, geologic condition, soil/land condition, topography, and proximity to airports.
Director Ro-ann Bacal of the National Economic Development Authority-Region 6, who is the RLUC chairperson, said “an established sanitary landfill in the region is very important, especially in this time of the pandemic, when there is an expected increase in the volume of solid wastes and hospital and infectious wastes.”
Republic Act 9003, The Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act and its implementing rules and regulations mandate the local government to establish a comprehensive solid waste management system and waste management plans. And one necessary element of a working solid management system is the establishment of a sanitary landfill site in each locality. (MGB6/Laralournie Artajo-PIO/PIA6)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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