Miagao begins sanitary landfill construction

By: Hannah Britanico, Joyce Bitoca, and Alysha Gelvosa

THE Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Miagao, Iloilo has started the construction of its sanitary landfill as part of the town’s 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP).

The landfill is currently being built in Miagao’s ecopark at Barangay Tugura-ao.

“Part of our ecopark, which once served as our old dumpsite, will be converted into a sanitary landfill to cater our municipality’s wastes,” Miagao MENRO officer Ja-ett Branton said.

The 10-year SWMP was approved by the National Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in 2017.

But the construction of the landfill pushed through in August 2019 only due to financial constraints.

“To be able to put up a sanitary landfill, the estimated amount needed is P30-60 million. But now, with the help of our local government which provided an initial budget of Php 300,000, we were able to start with the construction process,” Isidro Mosura Jr. of MENRO-Miagao said.

Miagao MENRO is taking the necessary procedure in the construction of the landfill to avoid possible damages along surrounding areas.

“We will pile our wastes, cover them, and apply the needed treatment. We have also chosen an ideal location surrounded by vegetative bamboo and is situated far away from the houses and neighboring barangays” Mosura added.

The sanitary landfill is seen to be operational in two years time.

Oton, Tigbauan and Igbaras MENRO also proposed to put up their own sanitary landfills.

“Our municipality (Tigbauan) will be partnering with Oton in our proposal to build a sanitary landfill. Igbaras is also planning to build one exclusive for their municipality,” according to Tigbauan Municipal Solid Waste Management Focal Person Elmer Torrico.