Ang Pahayagan

BCDA eye landfill site as world class resort area

Yes folks, the leadership of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the agency in charge of leasing government lands that is being promoted as New Clark City is determined to terminate the contract of the Metro Clark Waste Management (MCWM), operator of the Kalangitan landfill in Capas, Tarlac.

Last Friday, MCWM officials met with the officers and members of the Capanpagan in Media (CAMI) at the Bale Balita at Clark Freeport and acknowledged the serious concerns surrounding the reported closure its facilities in October this year upon the termination of its 25 year lease contract.

MCWM claimed that the immediate and severe impact on the closure of the landfill on the general public cannot be overstated as the abrupt closure will trigger in an overnight garbage crisis affecting 15 million people across Central Luzon, Pangasinan and the Cordillera region as the Kalangitan is not just one of the biggest waste management facilities in the country but it is the landfill in Central Luzon with the necessary capacity and expertise to handle all the waste generated in the region, particularly treated hazardous and hospital waste.

MCWM at the same time debunked the allegation of BCDA and CDC that service contract cannot be renewed. “This claim is incorrect and will seek legal action to resolve this wrong assumption” MCWM stressed.

According to the private sector landfill operator, since the beginning of its operation in 2003, it has consistently met or exceeded all regulations under RA 9003, the Ecological Waste Management Act of 2000 and made its landfill facility the only one of its kind in the Philippines, providing waste management services on par with the best practices in Europe and other developed countries. MCWM continually invested its facilities, equipment and capacity to address the growing waste management needs of the Philippines and even in 2019 proposed to BCDA a $200 million state of the art Waste-to-Energy facility at no cost to the government or taxpayers.

MCWM claimed that its landfill is serving over 150 local government units (LGUs) and more than 15 million people who stand to be affected once the service contract is terminated.

Last Tuesday, BCDA issued a press statement in reply to the allegation of MCWM and declare finally that the MCWM service contract cannot be renewed based on the provision of the BOT law and expressed a hard line decision on the closure of the landfill.

Rumors have that BCDA is planning to promote the area, composing 90 hectares into a world class and luxurious resort development and at the same time adhere to the clamor interested developers/investors for the relocation of the landfill facility as the site is uncomfortable to guests and visitors.

Moreover, the landfill closure will allow the operations of two landfill facilities in Porac and Florida Blanca, two municipalities belonging to the 2nd district of Pampanga. Last Wednesday, the Porac landfill project was inaugurated by DENR Sec. Yulo Loyzaga attended by Pampanga officials.