Malaybalay City council approves P20-M sanitary landfill

MALAYBALAY CITY--The City Council has approved a resolution paving way for the construction of a new landfill to replace the city’s open dumpsite.

Costing over PHP20 million, the “categorized landfill” to be established in Barangay Can-ayan is compliant with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 -- the same law that directs local government units to transition from operating open dumpsites to the more environment-friendly sanitary landfills.

According to the Environment Management Bureau, a categorized final disposal facility is a disposal site “designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a manner that exerts engineering control over significant potential environmental impacts arising from the development and operation of the facility.”

In a resolution on June 26, the City Council authorized Mayor Ignacio W. Zubiri to enter into a contract with the winning bidder Petrina Construction and General Merchandising to build the waste disposal facility.

Councilor Lorenzo L. Dinlayan Jr., chairperson on engineering and public works committee, sponsored the resolution.

The project nearly stalled following the objection of several councilors last month.

Councilor Nicolas Jurolan, one of those who posed objection, said that while he supported the project, he was apprehensive with the winning bidder’s failure to complete a water system project in Barangay Managok.

After several committee discussions, however, in which the contractor explained its side on the supposed failed water project, the councilors -- except Jurolan -- voted to approve and grant the authorization for the project.

Councilor Rendon Sangalang said the PHP20-million budget will fund the initial development of the 7.9-hectare sanitary landfill, including earthworks, road and bridges, flood control and drainage.

The project is expected for completion within 390 calendar days. (PNA)