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Only 38% of wastes generated in Calabarzon can be accommodated in its 35 Sanitary Landfills.  This was disclosed yesterday in a report from the Environmental Management Bureau Calabarzon.

These landfills only have a total capacity of 2,193 tons of waste per day. Based on data submitted by the local governments, the Bureau determined that the Region produces 5,695 tons of waste per day with a per capita waste generation ranging from 190 grams per person per day to 390 grams per person per day. Highest per capita is Cavite and Laguna and the lowest is Quezon and this range is lower than per capita volumes in metropolitan areas and mass tourism places like Boracay.

LGUs appealed that 100% efficiency in waste collection could not be attained due to constraints in the number of operating dump trucks and manpower.  Collection services are typically centered around poblacion areas.

Tipping fees in these landfills range from Php 7,000 to Php 15,000 per truck of wastes. The law requires that only residual wastes shall be disposed in SLFs. Stricter household monitoring of segregation will lessen these costs by up to half, while failure to implement the law can result in a recommendation for filing of charges with the Ombudsman.

EMB clarified that they have no mandate to put up infrastructures like SLF and the primary duty for waste management remains in the the LGUs. Thus, they recommended exploring the possibility of putting up a disposal facility per province thru linkage with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).  Landfills are no less public works than roads and bridges.

“Pag umapaw na po ang palanggana, hahagilapin ba muna ang mop o papatayin muna ang tubig?” asks Regional Executive Director Ipat Luna.  “Wala na pong pagpigaan ng mop, ibang paraan na ang dapat hanapin pag 60% na ang problema”, she adds.  DENR Calabarzon calls on Local Governments to expand their solutions by finding economic uses for what is normally thrown away.  Many LGUs now can derive economic value from their waste, we only need to increase demand.  DENR is  calling on all public infrastructure to consider the testing and use of these bricks that remove waste out of the waste stream.

Coordination with the private sector is continuous for a holistic approach to waste reduction in the Region.###