Trash site for Baguio, Benguet towns pressed

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY – There might be hope for the planned Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL) for Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) even as garbage disposal is mounting in the areas particularly Baguio.

           

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) voted 17-0 in support of the issuance of an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) which is a vital requirement to start the ESL in Barangay Ampucao.

           

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan and Domogan endorsed the proposed ESL through the signing of a memorandum of understanding for ECC issuance.

           

Itogon Mayor Oscar Camantiles did not sign the endorsement but he earlier signed the joint manifestation of support to the project along with Fongwan, Domogan and Ampucao barangay captain Eddie Amuasen.

           

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) also conducted a public consultation to residents in the area to hear their concerns regarding the planned ESL.

           

This was called by Rep. Ronald Cosalan in order also to hear issues of residents which will be directly affected by it.

           

Domogan’s support for the establishment of the ESL near the city is anchored on the fact that it could be the long term solution for the BLISTT garbage woes and also a source of revenue.

           

A South Korean firm earlier offered to grant a $30 million fund for the establishment of  the ESL on a 23-hectare land which will be used to put-up a facility capable of converting waste to energy on a 25-year term.

           

Accordingly, the first phase of the planned ESL is the establishment of a temporary staging area and temporary sanitary landfill to be utilized by Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay.

           

Domogan said after the release of the ECC, the Korean proponent should now do his part and show his capacity to develop the Ampucao ESL.

           

“The investor should present to us his financial and well as technical capability,” he said.  

           

“We have yet to scrutinize the plans and specifications of the proposed ESL,” Domogan said stating everything should be transparent to avoid any complications.

           

The mayor said despite this, opposition can be expected to the planned ESL development.

           

“We cannot blame them, we just have to ensure that the planned ESL will comply with Republic Act 9003 and other environmental laws,” he said.