LandBank approves town’s P456-M loan

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Mayor Alme Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan of La Castellana, Negros Occidental said that with the approval of LandBank of the town’s P456-million loan “it is now all systems go” not only for the establishment of the sanitary landfill but also for the construction of a municipal hospital and other lined up projects for her last term as chief executive.

Mangilimutan confirmed this development during the inauguration and oath-taking ceremonies of newly elected officials at the town’s auditorium Tuesday night.

She said the local government has sought for a certification and authority from the Department of Finance (DOF) which determines the loanable amount after it was established that the municipal government has the capacity to pay for it.

The establishment of the P120-million sanitary landfill in Barangay Manghanoy is on top of the list, the first lady mayor of the town said.

Mangilimutan said the municipal government already obtained the title for the 11.1-hectare property where the sanitary landfill will be located.

The project is geared to address the garbage woes as well as provide income and livelihood to the locals.

The sanitary landfill will be designed to accommodate even the garbage from the adjacent towns of Moises Padilla and Isabela with the additional allocation of P30 million from the provincial government.

She said they will be adapting the technology for the conversion of garbage into useful materials like chairs and tables.

It will also be acquiring a bio composter machine to produce fertilizer using the biodegradable wastes, and pulverizer to produce bricks that can be used in beautifying the roads, the mayor further said.

“Our plan is to make it an eco-friendly sanitary landfill,” she added.

With the approval of the loan, the local government may start the bidding process for the construction of the sanitary landfill in August this year.

There will be a separate bay for nearby localities with no sanitary landfill to also dispose their garbage at the facility.

Aside from the construction of the sanitary landfill, the town will also prioritize the procurement of 13 dump trucks, 13 emergency and rescue vehicles, and heavy equipment that will complement the project as well as road concreting and electrification of the area going to its site.

Other projects to be funded using the loan included the construction of the 25-bed capacity infirmary at Barangay Robles and community college, drainage system and market development, installation of water system, and road improvement, among others.