The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has ordered the temporary closure of a waste recovery facility in Baguio City for failure to implement waste segregation program.
Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, the agency’s spokesperson, said the Irisan waste recovery facility in Baguio City was ordered closed, but gave the assurance it would not lead to a garbage crisis.
“We will be coming up with a temporary cease-and-desist order. That is subject to an explanation,” he said.
“If we do not do that, the people there would get affected,” he added.
Over four tons of biodegradable wastes daily were being dumped in the Irisan waste recovery facility.
DENR blamed the poor implementation of the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act by the local government to “reduce, reuse and recycle” wastes.
Antiporda assured the public that the dump’s closure would not lead to a garbage problem.
The local government could find ways to dispose of its solid wastes in nearby provinces.
According to the agency’s spokesperson, DENR and the city government would met to draw a more comprehensive rehabilitation plan for the country’s summer capital.
According to records, Irisan dumpsite was ordered closed in 2012 after five people died in a trash slide at the height of Typhoon 'Mina' the year before.
Under a writ of kalikasan issued in 2012, the dumpsite should have been converted to an eco-park.
The site was only allowed to receive biodegradable garbage, but environment officials said mixed recyclables were found in the area.
Official sources said DENR officials will next inspect Balili and Bued rivers, which both traverse the city.
The rivers are heavily contaminated with trillions of bacteria from animal feces, mostly from over a thousand piggeries that directly dispose water to waterways.
Baguio City’s rehabilitation comes following the government’s clean-up drive in Boracay Island and Manila Bay.