Abaday calls for swift action over Pagalungan landfill woes

COUNCILOR Roger G. Abaday and members of the Committee on Environment recently met with stakeholders to address complaints on the operations of the Pagalungan Sanitary Landfill particularly on waste overflowing, ineffective leachate treatment, and foul odors.

According to the Pagalungan Barangay Officer-in-Charge Elsa M. Cabasa, their council has been hounded by complaints on the waste buildup that overflows into canals because the storm drains, which are meant to divert rain water from the mountains, are clogged causing runoff water to flow directly into the river. 

Mr. Jun Mhark Lloren, representative from the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), explained that heavy rains in July contributed to the delays in waste disposal, because trucks have struggled to move up the steep landfill, causing collection backlogs. Although excavations for the expansion of the landfill’s cell 3 are already underway, he added.

Meanwhile, residents also claimed that the leachate, a toxic liquid produced by decomposing waste, is seeping into water sources, thus posing health and environmental risks.

Lloren bared that a leachate treatment facility is in place since July this year; however, it remains non-operational due to delays in securing a three-phase power line from Misamis Oriental Rural Electric Service Cooperative (MORESCO).

They also cannot apply the soil cover that is supposed to trap the stench emanating from the landfill, so they suggested that the contractor, Jomara Construckt Corporation, cover the area with a tarp when it rains, Lloren shared. 

Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo of Department of Environment and Natural Resources – 10, who graced the meeting, said that medical waste was found mixed with residual trash during an inspection personally undertaken by their office. “This suggest a lack of control in managing the types of waste being thrown in the landfill,” he opined.

The director also pointed out that poor waste segregation practices contributed to the foul smell, citing that if the waste had been properly segregated, with biodegradables separated from residuals, there would have been no issue in the first place.

He remarked that one issue can cause a domino effect to the other related issues, thus expressed the importance of making a timeline.

Digamo suggested for stricter monitoring of waste disposal practice, fast-tracking of the leachate treatment facility, and following up MORESCO on the 3-phase power line.

He said that a Treatment, Storage, and Disposal (TSD) facility can only be approved by the DENR Central Office if a leachate treatment facility is fully operational; and the facility can only be operational if the power line has been successfully put up.

“Our office will exercise authority over that facility if until the end of September there is no positive development as far as the electrical connection is concerned,” he warned.

“That is not a threat. I will do that. (But first) I will give you time to do it,” he added.

Councilor Aga Suan, who was present during the meeting, believes the solution to the problem is “a matter of execution” paired with the action plan of the concerned office.

Councilor Abaday is positive that the problem on the supervision of the sanitary landfill will be remedied in no time with the guidance of the experts and everyone working together to address the matter at hand.

With this, Abaday moved to schedule a follow-up meeting with the representatives from DENR-10, MORESCO, CLENRO, and the landfill contractor, to come up with a clear and definite timeline for resolving the issue.