STA. ANA, Pampanga – Shut down by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources in 2021 for functioning as an illegal dumpsite, the rehabilitated materials recovery facility (MRF) here now, under the administration of Mayor Dinan Labung, serves as a benchmark for effective and efficient solid waste management.
Prior to assuming office, Labung already committed himself to prioritizing solutions to the municipality’s waste management challenges—not only by improving garbage collection services but also by upgrading the facility where waste is processed.
From what was once a site of piled-up stinking trash, the MRF has undergone a remarkable transformation, with nearby residents themselves expressing satisfaction over the improvements, citing enhanced cleanliness, order, and environmental safety in the area.
Engr. Dolf Mallari of the municipal environment and natural resources office said all incoming waste is immediately sorted and segregated upon arrival. Materials undergo strict classification and segregation into biodegradable, recyclable, residual, and upcycled waste, ensuring efficient and environmentally sound processing.
The MRF is equipped with assorted machines designed for proper waste handling.
Biodegradable waste is converted into organic fertilizer, recyclable materials are sold, while non-marketable items—such as certain plastic bottles—are crushed and transformed into pavement bricks for use in various local government infrastructure projects.
Only residual waste, or materials that can no longer be reused or recycled, is transported to sanitary landfills, notably the Berjaya facility in Floridablanca town. This improved waste management system has resulted not only in environmental benefits but also in substantial cost savings for the municipality.
In the MRF’s unrehabilitated past, an average of 34 truckloads of garbage were transported monthly to sanitary landfills, costing the local government approximately ₱925,000 per month. Today, this has been reduced to just seven truckloads, lowering disposal costs to around ₱200,000 monthly and generating savings of more than ₱700,000 every month.
Veggies and livestock
During a recent visit to the facility, Labung was welcomed by freshly harvested vegetables and fruits grown within the MRF grounds. What was once merely a dumping area has been transformed into productive land, now featuring gardens and livestock that benefit garbage collectors and nearby residents.
Inspired at the transformation, Labung vowed that developments at the Sta. Ana MRF will continue, with further improvements planned for the facility and its structures. He also commended the MENRO leadership for effectively implementing his directives on enhanced waste collection and solid waste management.
The Sta. Ana Materials Recovery Facility stands as clear proof that discipline, a well-planned solid waste management system, and strong leadership can deliver lasting benefits for both the community and the environment. Press release
