CLARK FREEPORT – Contractual limitations and planned development initiatives by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority for the New Clark City have been cited as the causes for the non-renewal of the contract of the
Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. to operate the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill in Capas, Tarlac.
“Pursuant to the legal opinion of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), BCDA’s statutory counsel, extending the contract between Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and MCWMC beyond October 2024 would be against the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Law, the framework used in bidding and awarding the contract for the project,” read separate but similar statements of the BCDA and CDC issued hours apart on Monday, June 3.
It was the first time the state-run agencies made any comments publicly since the issue of a looming garbage crisis arising from the impending closure of the landfill this October broke in the local media on May 8.
The Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill “is no longer consistent with the government’s vision of transforming New Clark City into a premier investment and tourism destination” said the BCDA statement.
The CDC statement expounded on the BCDA position as it cited a letter from BCDA president and CEO Joshua Bingcang dated April 30, 2024 saying: “The [BCDA] is keen on the development and increase of the economic value of the 100-hectare land area currently covered by a Contract for Service with [MCWMC]… We are considering several options on rehabilitating the land, noting that the sanitary landfill is potentially encroaching on the expansion areas of the developable lands adjacent to it.”
“For this purpose, we wish to inform you that the Agreement with MCWMC is set to expire on 9 October 2024, resulting in the closure of the sanitary landfill, with no possibility of extensions,” the letter read.
“At the expiration of the Contract for Service, MCWMC should promptly vacate and deliver the property inclusive of all new constructions and improvements introduced during the term of the Contract to the [CDC],” it furthered.
Pampanga waste facilities
Both the BCDA and CDC cited a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Region III that there are two existing facilities in Pampanga that may be utilized upon the end of MCWMC’s contract. Located in Porac and Floridablanca towns, the facilities are said to have a combined total capacity of 3,500 metric tons of domestic waste per day, and a potential to expand further to 6,000 MT.
The BCDA also mentioned that it has been invited to the opening of another materials recovery facility in Porac with a capacity of 5,000 MT per day.
Concluding that: “This brings the total combined capacity to 11,000 MT, which is more than enough to address the solid waste management requirements of Tarlac, Pampanga, and other provinces in and around the region. This should allay fears of a looming garbage and health crisis in the region.”
This, as the BCDA said it will assist local government units, government agencies, and locators “to explore alternative solutions for the affected stakeholders’ waste disposal requirements to ensure non-disruption of solid waste management services.”
For its part, the CDC said it is “pursuing alternative waste management solutions and procuring the services of a garbage collector for Clark within its jurisdiction, the Clark Freeport Zone, and the Clark Special Economic Zone.”
“Additionally, the CDC will accredit service providers for its locators/investors, ensuring designated disposal facilities for hazardous and non-hazardous waste,” it added. Punto News Team
