BACOLOD City – The city government is aiming for a “zero waste” metro and plans to phase out sanitary landfills in favor of a centralized Material Recovery Facility (MRF).
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez revealed that the city government is in the process of procuring a 36-hectare lot where the MRF will be constructed.
Ma. Fe Tresfuentes, the officer-in-charge at the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), said two property owners have offered their lands to the city. These properties are situated adjacent to the existing sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa. The acquisition of these properties will potentially allow the city to establish a buffer zone and create an eco-park.
“Our vision is zero waste. We’re planning to eliminate landfills and recycle everything,” said Benitez.
A company based in Cebu has forwarded a proposal to collaborate on the proposed MRF through a public-private partnership (PPP). Benitez said there are plans to invest P1 billion in the recycling plant, which will also be equipped to handle medical waste.
Moreover, the city government is advocating for households to practice waste segregation at the source.
“Instead of merely enforcing measures, we’re giving incentives. This approach is gradually leading our residents to adopt waste segregation,” said Benitez.
The city’s current landfill has faced criticism for resembling an open dumpsite./PN