The Environmental Management Bureau–Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) is expected to come up with recommendations as part of a disposal plan to immediately clear the stockpile of excavated waste at the city’s old dumpsite along Buri Road in Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City.
This was agreed upon during a technical conference spearheaded by the City Legal Office and the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), in coordination with Councilor Homer Bais, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Environment, with representatives from EMB-NIR, the site developer, and key city department heads on Wednesday, August 12, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Part of the discussion focused on identifying the proper methodology for transferring and disposing of the waste from the old dumpsite to the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, as directed by Mayor Greg Gasataya.
“As soon as possible, this will be resolved because it’s becoming a hazard, not to mention that it’s an eyesore,” City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo said, stressing the need to comply with existing rules and guidelines in disposing of the large volume of waste exposed by various development projects at the old dumpsite.
“EMB will conduct a series of technical conferences with private developers to ensure the safe transfer of waste, prior to the waste hazard test to be conducted on site,” he added.
Recommendations from EMB-NIR will then be endorsed to the Solid Waste Management Board for approval and immediate implementation by the concerned stakeholders.
Mayo clarified that during a previous technical conference in April, EMB-NIR proposed the disposal of waste from the old dumpsite to Cell No. 5 of the sanitary landfill.
“We want to focus on solutions because the ultimate objective is to protect the public as well as the businesses in the area,” Mayo emphasized.
Data from EMB-NIR showed that approximately 80,000 cubic meters of waste are exposed at the old dumpsite, posing potential public health and safety risks and concerns for investments in the area.
City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu earlier questioned the issuance of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by EMB-NIR to a property developer without considering the risks associated with excavating an old dumpsite and the absence of a definite disposal plan.*
“As explained, they (EMB) assumed that upon the issuance of an ECC to the private developer, only minor excavation would be conducted and that no waste would be excavated and transferred,” Chiu said.
Chiu further stressed the need for proper coordination between the city and concerned stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive disposal plan and prevent similar concerns in the future.
Meanwhile, the city will continue monitoring the old dumpsite as hauling of waste continues. BENRO clarified that the city has yet to issue an authorization for the hauling, transfer, and disposal of waste pending the recommendation of EMB-NIR.*
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