BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City—The City Council has approved Mayor Jerry Treñas’ request to cover the sanitary landfill in Barangay Calajunan, Mandurriao district with ash from the coal-fired power plant operated by Panay Energy Development Corporation (PEDC).
During its recent session, the councilors unanimously approved the committee report of Councilor Ely Estante, chairperson of the Committee on Public Service, Environment protection and Ecology, which recommended the approval of the mayor’s request.
“In light of the various arguments presented, the Committee is persuaded that the use of coal ash from PEDC presents many advantages to the city in general. It was also clear that health and environment concerns have been sufficiently and satisfactorily addressed,” read the committee report.
The mayor proposed to use the ash as a “cover system” to reduce exposure to contaminants in the landfill.
Treñas has requested the City Council to pass a resolution authorizing him to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with PEDC.
The agreement would permit the disposal of ash from the coal-fired power plant as a “cover system” for the sanitary landfill.
This initiative is designed to “reduce exposure to contaminants and manage the risk brought about by the waste thereat,” thereby addressing environmental and public health concerns associated with landfill operations.
“The cover system will also reduce order and air emissions; control disease vectors; prevent insect infestation; and aid in decomposition,” the mayor’s letter read.
In the committee report, Estante noted that as per discussion with Engr. Neil Ravena, as head of the City Sanitary Landfill in Calajunan, said the proposed memorandum of agreement between PEDC and the City involved the hauling of coal ash from PEDC to be used as cover in the day-to-day dumping of city wastes in the landfill.
Ravena said the MOA was initiated by his office, which requested PEDC to provide the coal ash cover. Ravena pointed out during the committee hearing the use of coal ash in the cover system for the city’s Sanitary Landfill is seen to reduce exposure to contaminants and manage the risks brought about by the dumping of the waste thereat.
The cover system is also expected to reduce odor and air emissions in the area; control disease vectors; prevent insect infestation and aid in decomposition.
Moreover, the use of PEDC coal ash cover will be reduced by P50 to P60 million, the total amount being spent annually by the city government for waste covering.
Under the proposed agreement, PEDC will dump about 40,000 cubic meters per year into the landfill for the next three years.
PEDC stressed the ash produced by the power plant will comply with the provisions in the guidelines for the safe handling, storage, transport, disposal, and off-site utilization of coal combustion residual issued by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
PEDC said they will also provide qualified, trained, experienced, and competent personnel for the proper handling of ash.
The ash hauler is responsible and liable for the welfare and all acts or omissions of its personnel; and maintains strict discipline and good order amongst its personnel loading, transporting, storing, handling, or disposing of ash.
The hauler will also be responsible for any emergency response and clean-up during spills, or contamination of the environment including accountability for payment of damages incurred during any incident of spill and contamination during transport of the ash.
PEDC also assured the ash would be disposed of at the designated area of the landfill. Hence, a disposal other than the designated area shall be considered as a material breach of the terms and conditions under the MOA.
PEDC said they will also be responsible for any emergency response and clean-up during spills, or contamination of the environment including accountability for payment of damages incurred during any incident of spill and contamination during transport of the ash./PN
