DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Region 7 director Ma. Victoria Abrera commended the city government of Dumaguete and Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo for achieving a compliant status on all the parameters set forth in Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, for calendar year 2024.
Abrera said in her letter to Remollo that based on the annual evaluation of DENR-EMB Region 7, the Dumaguete LGU is compliant to the prohibition against the use of open dumps for solid waste, noting that the city’s dumpsite in Barangay Candau-ay is undergoing rehabilitation for final closure.
The LGU is also using the sanitary landfill as final disposal site, in compliance to RA 9003, which states that landfill sites shall be developed and operated as a final disposal site for solid, and eventually, residual wastes of a municipality or city, or a cluster of municipalities and/or cities.
The DENR-EMB also noted that the 10-year Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plan has been approved.
The two sets of SWM equipment, composed of biocomposters and shredders from EMBCO, donated in 2020, and EMB7 in 2021 are all operational, it added.
Remollo, meanwhile, commended the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, led by Engr. Chilver Patrimonio, and the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) team, headed by Engr. Leticia Duran, for the latest recognition from DENR.
The Central MRF of Dumaguete was awarded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as “Best in Resource Recovery in a Centralized Materials Recovery Facility” in Region 7, the city said Feb. 11.
The Central MRF houses the equipment that turn garbage into useful byproducts, such as plastic chairs, pavers, hollow blocks, and other construction materials that can be used for various infrastructure projects and in the maintenance of roads.
On the other hand, biodegradable wastes can be processed to become organic fertilizers.
Previously, the DENR also recognized Remollo and the Dumaguete LGU for generating a monthly income of at least P500,000 for the city government, through its recovery of recyclable materials/wastes while providing livelihood for the waste pickers through proper and sustainable solid waste management.
After the closure of the dumpsite in March 2021, Remollo implemented the construction of a full span concrete bridge connecting barangays Candau-ay and Balugo to ensure the safety and convenience of motorists and residents even when the waters of Banica River rise due to flood and typhoons.
Once the rehabilitation of the closed dumpsite is complete, Remollo said he plans to use it as an additional public space for outdoor activities, parks or as a site for government facilities. ||
