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10-year Baguio waste management plan starts

BAGUIO CITY (July 2) — The closure of the Irisan dumpsite and the conversion of a portion of it as a controlled facility gained headway with the formulation of a ten-year ecological solid waste management plan as the city finished the first of three workshops on June 13-16 in Bauang, La Union, Mayor Braulio D. Yaranon disclosed to the media last week.

Yaranon, who was among workshop participants, is optimistic that the city could realize its target of minimizing sold wastes with inputs on the experience of Quezon City inspiring the city planners.

Engr. Nazita Bañez, of the city Technical Working Group on solid waste management, steered discussions with the city Ecological Solid Waste management Board on June 27 as she presented the workshop results.

According to Bañez, the city generates only 211, not 300, metric tons of wastes daily, of which 40 percent are biodegradable, 32% residual, 26% recyclable and 2% special wastes. Bañez believes that the residual wastes may be further reduced by reusing and converting into other useful materials such as containers, flower pots, decorative items, and even tiles. According to a waste assessment conducted by the city recently, 33% of the wastes dumped in Irisan dumpsite comes from residential areas. Food establishments and general stores generate 27% and 12%, respectively.

After three workshops to formulate the solid waste management plan, a public hearing would be conducted before it would be presented to the city council for its action, Bañez told the ESWM board. The next two workshops are slated for July and August this year.

The city hopes to close its dumpsite in October 2006. By February 2007, it is expected to have set up its alternative waste disposal system in compliance with Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste management Act of 2001. # LVRamo for NORDIS

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