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The government of Davao City is taking serious steps in its effective solid waste management, and this is more evident with the completions of a 3.8 hectare sanitary landfill project. The P268-million facility which opened last Friday boasts of a highly-engineered solid waste disposal facility which is touted as the first of its kind in Mindanao. It’s the first landfill which was opened following the closure and rehabilitation of the old open dumpsite in 2007.

The new sanitary dumpsite is complete with leachate retention pond, monitoring wells, drainage system gas vents, said Ogie Ticos of IPM Construction and Development Corp. According to Ticos, the new landfill, which is located in the village of New Carmen in Tugbok district can accommodate the city’s garbage for the next 8 to 10 years.

Leachate is a “garbage juice” which is formed when rainwater and chemical wastes mix. Ticos said the leachate that the landfill will produce will just be 16 cubic meters per day or the equivalent of only 16 balikbayan boxes. He said the “juice” will drain down to the retention pond, which will be closely monitored for leaks.

City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte,  who was proud of the project, said it was the city’s response to the pressing concern over the proper way of disposing garbage.

According to the data from the city government, garbage collection around the city for the period January to August of this year totaled 272,916 cubic meters. The total wastes collected from household, commercial and industrial sources last year reached 358,572 cubic meters.

Duterte said, “Our focus on the environment and natural resources will be principally directed on ecological solid waste management, watershed rehabilitation and coastal resource management. We will continue to pursue the path to sustainable development of our city.”