CALAMBA City, Laguna – IN 2019, the EMB IV-A reported that more than 5,000 tons of wastes are generated per day by the Region and only 38 percent could be accommodated by the landfills. With the volume of wastes generated per capita, the DENR CALABARZON calls for the urgent need to reduce the volume of wastes for disposal.
Regional Executive Director Nonito Tamayo calls on Local Governments to ensure segregation at source. Segregation of dry and wet wastes, reduce or eliminate the use of single use plastics, repair, reuse, and upcycle wastes, and turn the food scraps and agricultural excess materials into compost. We have already seen the success stories of some LGUs such as Teresa in Rizal, Malvar in Batangas, Mauban in Quezon, Biñan in Laguna and Barangay San Jose in Tagaytay City, Cavite.
DENR CALABARZON has received complaints sent by concerned citizens regarding a Sanitary Landfill operated by S.B. Hain Enterprises & General Services, Inc., located in Purok 1, Barangay Kay-Anlog, Calamba City, Laguna.
The DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) directed Mr. Severino Hain, owner of the S.B. Hain Enterprises & General Services, Inc. to immediately cease and desist the operation of their sanitary landfill on July 20, 2020, in view of their violations of Republic Act No. 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act” and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
EMB OIC-Director Engineer William Cunado also directed Mr. Hain to immediately comply with the requirements set forth by the said law and IRR, the conditions stipulated in the Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by EMB CALABARZON on November 18, 2019, and the Guidelines on the Categorized Final Disposal Facilities as per DENR Administrative Order No. 10, Series of 2006.
According to Engr. Zaldy Nebres, Pollution Control Officer of S.B. Hain Enterprises & General Services, Inc., 70-80% of the wastes received by the landfill are mixed wastes. Supposedly, only residual wastes shall be disposed in sanitary landfills.
Prior to the order, the Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force (EPETF) of DENR, together with the DENR CALABARZON through its Enforcement Division, PENRO Laguna, and EMB4A – Provincial Environmental Management Unit (PEMU) Laguna, inspected the sanitary landfill last July 10, 2020. PEMU Laguna also conducted earlier inspections and observed several violations in November 2019.
SB Hain agreed to comply with the recommendations of the PEMU including the maintenance of logbook to document the volume, type, and origin of wastes dumped in the area, installation of signage for the landfill, conduct of wastewater or effluent sampling/analysis, installation of perimeter fence, conduct of more frequent sprinkling for dust, installation of facilities for toilets and hand washing, installation of gas vents in all completed cell/excavation, establishment of leachate collection system for active cell, and establishment of leachate treatment pond in appropriate area, among others.
While LGUs try to address the challenges on solid waste management, unless citizens commit to reduce their waste, the solid waste management issues will persist. RED Tamayo is urging the public to report suspected illegal ENR-related cases. Citizens may call or send sms via hotline 8888 mobile numbers 09561825774/ 09198744369, or email r4a@denr.gov.ph. Photos, videos and other information may also be sent via the official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DENR4AOfficial/.
