THE Environmental Management Bureau in Northern Mindanao (EMB-10) has issued a show cause order to Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy over environmental violations at the Pagalungan Sanitary Landfill.
In a letter dated Jan. 7, 2025, EMB Regional Director Reynaldo Digamo cited findings from an Oct. 22, 2024, inspection in Barangay Buracan, Pagalungan.
The EMB discovered that a 7,000-square-meter extension of Cell 2, utilized since June 2024, lacked a required high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner, violating Section 41 of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
The EMB also noted the landfill’s wastewater treatment facility has remained non-operational since its commissioning on Aug. 7, 2024.
“The non-operational status of the Water Treatment Facility resulted to [sic] uncontrolled discharges of untreated leachate causing contamination of nearby waterbody particularly Buracan Creek and Iponan River. The City’s Sanitary landfill is the closest water pollution source,” the show cause order reads in part.
The city was directed to cease operations at Cell 2’s extension, citing the absence of the HDPE liner, leachate, and gas pipes.
The EMB warned it might escalate the issue to the Environmental Ombudsman if a satisfactory explanation is not submitted.
City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro) Chief Armin Cuenca, in a video statement, said they received the letter only on Jan. 15 and have since responded.
Cuenca explained that waste disposal without a liner was due to delays in completing Cell 3, which required budget approval during Uy’s administration.
Construction equipment also needed temporary access through the southern portion of Cell 2, which was halted on Dec. 12, 2024.
Regarding the non-operational wastewater treatment facility, Cuenca cited issues with securing a three-phase electricity connection, adding that the contractor assured the problem would be resolved before March 31, this year.
“Kami sa Clenro wala mi mahimo kung wala pay kuryente pero among paningkamotan nga bisan wala pa ang kuryente aron lamang nga dili pa mapuno kay La Niña na raba sad. Ting ulan na. Aron dili mapuno ang atong leachate, kami among i-assure nga sa kanunay among ire-circulate ang maong mga leachate,” Cuenca said.
The city government has vowed to address the violations to avoid further legal actions.
