The silver lining in dumpsite’s closure

THE Dagupan City government was well aware that it was a matter of time before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would lower the boom on it for its continued operation of the open dumpsite, a gross violation of the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The Lim administration in 2001 foresaw this and used it as a predicate for the acquisition of a 30-hectare land for the city’s construction of a sanitary landfill albeit under highly questionable terms. Worse, the city could not possess the overpriced acquired land because it turned out it was already covered by the land reform program. This left the city with the open dumpsite as its only alternative to deal with its daily 29 tons of garbage.

The Fernandez administration, realizing the city lost its chance to construct a landfill, welcomed a proposition requiring the use of technology by an investor to process the city’s solid wastes for conversion to fuel. The administration grabbed it and quickly proceeded to take all the steps to prepare the site for the project. For starters, the informal settlers around the dumpsite have been relocated, and the study is now being evaluated for final approval.

Alas, the DENR decided that the 16-year grace period extended the city had to end. The city is now left with few contingencies to cope with the looming emergency situation. But as in most difficult times, every cloud has its silver lining.

The sudden closure of the open dumpsite now forces barangays to imbibe the discipline required in segregating, reusing and recycling solid wastes. In fact, the city has no other choice because for the city’s wastes to be accepted at the Urdaneta landfill, the wastes have to be segregated.

Against all odds

NO country has ever won the Miss Universe crown back-to-back. Thus, in crowning herself the Miss Universe last year in Las Vegas, Pia Wurtzbach has become a tough act to follow for Maxine Medina, our chosen bet this year.  Add to this the fact that a host country has yet to win the event since its inception in 1952. Sadly, those are the twin obstacles that Maxine has to hurdle in trying to win tomorrow’s Miss Universe contest at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

And, amid these seemingly crippling stumbling blocks facing Maxine, why can’t some of our compatriots shut up if only to spare Maxine the added agony of absorbing destructive criticisms in the run-up to the pageant?  Why don’t we all root for Maxine instead, if only to prove that we are united and solid against all odds?

If Maxine won, would that not redound to a victory of the Filipino people as well?  That’d be a glowing global feat, no less.

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