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Irisan rehab gets P18.7M fund

BAGUIO CITY (May 18) — The joint executive and legislative session on May 15, the first ever after the 2004 elections, united both the city’s executive and legislative departments for the rehabilitation of the Irisan dumpsite. The decision came in the wake of a snowballing protest by locals against the ill-maintaned garbage dump.

Mayor Braulio Yaranon announced to media today that the joint executive and legislative session was a fruitful one as both bodies agreed on concrete proposals to address the health risks posed by the Irisan open dumpsite and finally the rehabilitation of the area for the solid waste management of the city’s trash.

It was also learned from the mayor that the lawmakers are considering two types of solid waste management, namely, the “waste to energy process” and the sanitary land fill. He explained that both options have their limitations as the former process poses risks due to gas emissions while the latter is going to be expensive.

Residents protest

In a rally in front of the city hall during the council session last week, Irisan residents, particularly those near the dumpsite and nearby areas, hit the city’s open dumpsite as they reportedly encounter various ailments due to the pollution they inhale in the air and the smoke from the area.

Protesters invoked Republic Act 9003 or the National Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, approved in 2000, which mandates for the conversion of all open dump facilities to controlled dump facilities.

Rehab funds

Yaranon announced that the council agreed to release P18.7 million for the temporary closure and rehabilitation of the Irisan dump site, which is expected to be finished in at least four months according to Yaranon.

The period will give the council time to determine what solid waste management program would be adopted but which would be environmental friendly and the city government to adopt strict measures to reduce the volume of solid waste collected through garbage segregation Yaranon said. He added that the 10-year solid waste management program would be refined.

In the meantime, remedial measures to stop the foul odor, including the repair of the retaining walls and other improvements, will be adopted, according to Yaranon.

It will be recalled that the city government targeted an area in Taloy in Tuba, Benguet for its garbage disposal but officials and residents from Tuba disagreed. The city government now tries to develop the Irisan dumpsite area to contain its garbage as allowed under the Solid Waste Management Act. # Arthur L. Allad-iw for NORDIS

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