DBP lends Olongapo P400M to set up landfills

Development Bank of the Philippines has granted a P400 million loan to Olongapo City to fund landfill development as the state-owned bank pursues its environmental preservation thrust.

The loan will be used by the local government of Olongapo to acquire recovery facilities and improve garbage collection.

The loan will also fund the design and construction of Olongapo City’s Cabalan sanitary landfill.

DBP president Francisco del Rosario said the project aims to promote a healthier environment and better waste segregation.

"This sound, environmental project will provide a legally and environmentally acceptable waste disposal site for the residents of the city, the businesses in SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) and for nearby municipalities," Del Rosario said.

He said when the sanitary landfill becomes operational, other local government units, including the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Zambales, may also benefit from the project.

The project is in line with the governments’ push to implement RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates all local government units to establish and develop sanitary landfills to enhance environmental protection and maintain ecological balance.

Phase 1 of the landfill operation is expected to bring in an average of P104 million a year additional income for the local government units from tipping fees and increases in local fees.

In 2008, the DBP also approved a loan to the Olongapo city government for the purchase of 7,000 pieces of mobile garbage bins as temporary storage for uncollected waste.

The city also bought seven garbage truck compactors to collect garbage from its 17 barangays. malaya.com.ph