ILOILO – The envisioned 12-hectare P308-million Integrated Waste Management Facility in Barangay Aglalana, Passi City would be serving 28 towns and accommodate 200 to 375 metric tons of wastes daily.
Its groundbreaking was held yesterday.
“It’s a good strategy to construct environmentally-friendly solid waste management facilities that could save other towns that have problems with waste disposal,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The 28 towns are Badiangan, Bingawan, Cabatuan, Calinog, Janiuay, Lambunao, Maasin, Mina, and Pototan (3rd District); Anilao, Banate, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, Dueñas, Dumangas, and San Enrique (4th District); and Ajuy, Balasan, Baratoc Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael, and Sara (5th District); and Dumarao of Capiz province.
The sanitary landfill’s construction and operation will be handled by private firm Basic Environmental Systems & Technologies, Inc. (BEST) under the IPM Group of Companies which inked a seven-year public-private partnership with the city government of Passi.
“We can work together in minimizing carbon footprint and helping ensure a livable Earth for the next generation,” said BEST, Inc. president Isabelita Paredes Mercado.
Presently, Passi City maintains a residual containment area in Barangay Agtabo for waste segregation.
The sanitary landfill is in compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, said Vice Mayor Jesry Palmares.
Construction will be completed in six months, according to Mayor Stephen Palmares.
Once operational, Passi City will have an 18 percent share in the net income as well as in the tipping fee.
“The tipping fee will still depend on the distance of the towns,” said Palmares.
The city government of Passi won’t be spending anything for the construction.
“Ang counterpart lang sang city ya lupa but daw usufruct lang nga for as long ginagamit ang duta para sa sanitary landfill it will be utilized by BEST. But the moment nga matapos ang operation mabalik man sa government,” said Palmares. (With a report from LHC, Capitol News/PN)
