Bayawan city: The local government of Bayawan City in Negros Oriental is preparing to construct a second sanitary landfill, with PHP30 million allocated for the project, in anticipation of increased facility usage from outside the city. Kerwin Martinez, environmental management specialist and manager of the Bayawan City Waste Management and Ecology Center (BCWMEC), indicated that preparatory works are in place for the additional sanitary landfill cell.
According to Philippines News Agency, Martinez stated that there is no immediate need for the new landfill yet, as the current sanitary landfill (SLF cell no. 1) still accommodates residual waste from the city and neighboring local government units (LGUs) for a fee. However, land clearing and groundwork for the second SLF cell are ongoing, with expectations of more LGUs and private establishments utilizing the BCWMEC for their waste management needs.
Martinez mentioned that at least nine towns and cities, along with four establishments, currently pay a tipping fee of PHP5 per kg of residual garbage. Many LGUs in Negros Oriental do not have their own sanitary landfills as mandated by law, increasing reliance on the BCWMEC facilities.
Initially, the existing landfill was designed to last for 30 years, catering solely to Bayawan City’s needs. However, with the anticipated increase in waste volume, preparations for an additional landfill cell are underway. The BCWMEC, operational since 2008, was built with support from GTZ, a German development foundation, during the tenure of the late mayor German Sara±a.
Martinez explained that plastic residual wastes at the landfill decompose and compact naturally without chemicals. The BCWMEC plans to review agreements with neighboring towns to assess the capacity of the existing landfill for additional waste beyond Bayawan City’s requirements.
In addition to garbage segregation, the 27.4-hectare BCWMEC features a septage management facility for household and establishment waste, material recovery facilities for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, constructed wetlands, a hazardous waste vault, and treatment ponds.