The La Castellana Clustered Waste Management Facility will not be an environmental hazard, it will responsibly handle the disposal of residual waste and bring financial benefits to the town of La Castellana in Negros Occidental.
This was assured by town officials led by Mayor Añejo Nicor and Vice Mayor Rhummyla Mangilimutan Nicor at a press conference in La Castellana on Monday afternoon, August 10.
The facility in Barangay Manghanoy holds an Environmental Compliance Certificate and was built to ensure the town’s compliance with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the mayor said.
Republic Act No. 9003 mandates LGUs to adopt a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program that ensures environmental protection and public health.
The facility also has a 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan officially approved by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) in April 2023.
It cost ₱78 million, with La Castellana allocating ₱48 million and the Negros Occidental provincial government providing ₱30 million, the vice mayor said.
To protect the surrounding ecosystems, a project briefer noted that the construction phase integrated the following components:
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Liner: Installed at the base of the landfill cell to form an impermeable barrier, preventing toxic leachate from permeating the soil and contaminating subterranean water bodies.
- Wastewater / Leachate Treatment Facility: Designed to contain, filter, and treat liquid runoff generated from decomposing waste.
- Hazardous Waste Storage Facility: A dedicated site constructed for the safe temporary storage of hazardous/special waste streams.
- Groundwater Monitoring Wells: Constructed around the facility perimeter for continuous water sampling and quality testing.
The facility will serve as the residual waste disposal site for La Castellana, Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, Moises Padilla, and Binalbagan.
The vice mayor said the dumpsite will incorporate alternative technologies for waste diversion to prolong the lifespan of the sanitary landfill. These include processing residual plastic waste into chairs, bricks, and diesel fuel, which will generate added income for the municipality.
At the same time, biodegradable materials will be processed into compost to support municipal agriculture practices.
“There are so many benefits from the landfill,” she said.
She called for the help and cooperation of La Castellana residents to make the project a success.*
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