Four Hundred (400) bamboo saplings were planted during the launching of the Environmental Management Bureau Garden and Eco-Park last October 28 at the Old Sanitary Landfill, Brgy. Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal.

“This place was sacrificed long time ago as the waste basket of Metro Manila and I thank the people of San Mateo and Rizal for this. Rather than pointing fingers to people who are irresponsible in terms of solid waste, we would rather act on it. Kahit anong linis ng government kahit anong pondo ang ilaan, kung hindi magtutulung-tulong ang tao, wala pong mangyayari. Kung ayaw pong tumulong, ‘wag na lang pong magkalat”, DENR Undersecretary for Soldi Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns Benny D. Antiporda said as he shared the history of the area subject for rehabilitation. 

Meanwhile, Antiporda also commended the Environmental Management Bureau for coming up with the rehabilitation project. He mentioned “Noon ay hindi masyado pinag-uusapan ang basura pero ngayon, hindi lang pinag-uusapan, inaaksyonan pa.”

On the other hand Engr. William P. Cuñado, Director of the Environmental Management Bureau explained the rationale behind the activity. He said “We are now launching a very big project that will show cause for the environment in terms of rehabilitation and also for the economic view where we convert this area into an eco-park. We are going to embark on the greening of the Old San Mateo Sanitary Landfill by planting bamboo which is very appropriate in this area…The Old San Mateo Sanitary Landfill has already ceased its usefulness as a disposal site but it does not mean that we cannot restore it into something remarkable.”

Cuñado further discussed why bamboo is being used for the eco-park and the rehabilitation of the landfill. “Bamboo roots are used as a filter to draw out the toxic substances that will give you clear water. It has a built-in team of microbes that decompose toxic substances like tri  halo methane or chlorine. In that sense, the bamboo will greatly help us in purifying the water flowing through our rivers”, he shared.

DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria added that the eco-park employs a natural way of rehabilitation. He emphasized “Makasaysayan dahil habang nirerehabilitate natin ang naisarang more than 70 hectares na landfill, ang pagrerehabilitate natin ay yong natural - sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanim ng kawayan. Marami na ang pag-aaral at patuloy pa ang pagaaral para hanapan ng naaangkop na tipo ng species ng kawayan na maaaring makatulong masipsip ang mga kemikal at malinis ang basurahang ito.

Tamoria also recognized the importance of collaboration of various government agencies, local government units, and members of the community for the re-greening efforts and watershed protection. “Nagsasalubong po ang mga prayoridad at proyekto ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan. Ang prayoridad ng lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng YES to Green program, ang prayoridad ng EMB para sa safe closure ng sanitary landfill, at prayoridad ng ating kalihim na i-propagate ang kawayan bilang pangunahing species sa regreening program ng ating pamahalaan”, he said.

Further, Tamoria announced that the Old Sanitary Landfill is in the process of being declared as a National Greening Site for the continuous rehabilitation of the area. He also shared that area poses a great impact to the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape. “Ginagawa po natin ito bilang paghahanda, hindi man para sa kasulukuyang sitwasyon natin kundi para sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Ang papel po ng Upper Marikina bilang kanlungan ng tubig na pinakikinabanang ng buong Metro Manila ay malaki, at sa pamamagitan po ng proyektong ito ay malilinis po ang ating water table”, he stressed.

In turn, Governor Rebecca Ynares of the Province of Rizal extended her gratitude to the DENR and EMB, through Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan, Jr., for launching the project which she said will be an opportunity to correct the environmental issues in Brgy. Pintong Bukawe, San Mateo, Rizal. She said that the project of the EMB for the re-greening of the Old San Mateo Sanitary Landfill is truly a welcome development and will contribute to their intensified campaign in promoting a healthier ecosystem.###

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Parent Category: News & Events
Category: Press Releases
Published: 04 November 2021