CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “A crisis of grave proportions that would impact on millions of residents and disrupt critical government services to the communities.”
Thus, Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag warned of consequences to the impending closure of the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill in Capas, Tarlac that processes garbage from some 120 cities and municipalities in Central Luzon and some key cities in Northern Luzon.
The Bases Conversion Development Agency and its subsidiary, Clark Development Corp., principal proponents of the 25-year contract with Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWMC), the engineered sanitary landfill builder and operator, have reportedly ruled out any extension or renewal of that contract expiring this October, hence MCWMC should immediately cease its operations of its facilities in Kalangitan, Capas, Tarlac.
In a statement in Tagalog she issued through the official social media page of the city government on May 28, Caluag noted: “As the capital of Pampanga, the City of San Fernando will be adversely affected particularly, the Kalangitan landfill a being a crucial part of our solid waste management system, ensuring the maintenance of cleanliness of our city and protection of the environment.”
Citing the MCWMC for its efficiency in managing the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill in its strict adherence to RA 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000), Caluag said its closure would reduce the capacity of the local government unit to manage its collected waste “causing endangerment to public health, environmental degradation, and the decline of the quality of life of the residents.”
The mayor issued an urgent appeal to all agencies concerned with the issue of closing the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill to “rethink and reconsider the decision and study alternative solutions to safeguard the well-being of the communities.”
Expressing the city’s readiness to be a part of the solution to the garbage issue, Caluag averred: “Handa kaming makipagtulungan sa mga pambansa at rehiyonal na awtoridad, pati na rin sa iba pang LGUs, upang makahanap ng angkop na hakbang na magtitiyak ng patuloy na epektibong pamamahala ng basura sa aming rehiyon.”
This, as she called on all stakeholders to “give priority the health, safety, and welfare of the people” citing that “the impending garbage crisis can be avoided through their united efforts and appropriate action.
Concluding her statement with the exhortation: “Magtulungan tayo upang mapangalagaan ang ating kapaligiran at matiyak ang isang magandang kinabukasan para sa lahat.” Punto News Team
