Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Atty. Romando “Don” Artes defended Manila’s continued waste disposal at the San Mateo sanitary landfill in Rizal, saying the arrangement is legal, long-standing, and beneficial both to Metro Manila and the host municipality.
In a exclusive interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Artes clarified that the landfill was established specifically to accommodate Metro Manila’s waste.
“Gusto ko po itong linawin. Uno-una, yan pong particular na sanitary landfill na yan ay itinayo po sa kahilingan po ng MMDA. At hindi po pwedeng itanggi ito ni Mayor Omie [Rivera] dahil nung in-approve po yung construction niya, ay siya po ang vice mayor at siya po ang nagiging presiding officer para itayo po yan,” Artes said.
“Alam niya po na kaya po itinayo yan ay para po sa basura ng Metro Manila. Dahil hindi naman po magiging profitable yan kung basura lang ng San Mateo ang itatapon," he added.
Artes said the MMDA has a contract with the San Mateo LGU authorizing the dumping of waste at the site.
“According po sa ECC, which is 5,000 a day yung pong dapat na o pwedeng itapon ng Metro Manila. Sa ngayon naman po, yung pong MOA na yan na pinirmahan ni Chairman Bayani Fernando at that time at nung dating mayor po na si Rafael Diaz, sa ngayon po yung sa 5,000 a day na supposedly pwede na itapon ay nasa kalahati pa lang.”
"Hindi pa po kami over sa capacity. Kasi po nag-i-equal yan," he emphasized.
He also noted that San Mateo benefits financially from the arrangement.
“Part po ng aming tipping fee ay nakikinabang po or may parte ang San Mateo. Kaya nga po hindi pwedeng sabihin ni Mayor na hindi niya po alam yan. Yung pagtatapon namin, siya ay nabigla. Dahil again, nakikinabang po ang munisipyo ng [San Mateo],” he explained.
Traffic and health concern risks
Responding to concerns over traffic and health risks, Artes emphasized that these are addressed in their agreement.
“Sa MOA po nakalagay responsibilidad po ng LGU, yung pagmanage ng traffic. Pero kung kailangan naman po ng assistance, pwede po kami magpadala ng enforcers,"
While health concerns, and sanitation, Artes explained that concerns regarding health and sanitation are already covered by existing permits from the DENR, with the MMDA conducting regular inspections of the landfill.
He added that the San Mateo local government also reviews the site before issuing its business permit.
"So nagtataka po ako bakit niya kinukwestion ngayon at nagtatanong siya regarding this aspect when in fact responsibilidad din po niya bago po siya mag-issue ng business permit na siguraduhin safe, malinis," MMDA Chairman stated.
"At masasabi ko lang po, I know this for a fact, na award winning po yung sanitary landfill for best practices na in-award po ng DNR, EMD," he added.
Artes also revealed that the landfill operator is preparing for an upgrade, planning to build a waste-to-energy facility.
“So mukhang hindi naman po forever na magiging tapunan lamang ng basura yan. Kung hindi, tatayuan din eventually ng waste to energy. At ang minimum requirement po ay kailangan namin i-guarantee na minimum po 3,000 tons a day," he said.
Artes said the planned waste-to-energy facility would require a steady supply of garbage, and once completed, it is expected to benefit San Mateo through 'job generation, higher tax revenues, and electricity subsidies.'
The MMDA chair reiterated that Metro Manila’s waste disposal at San Mateo remains valid under their memorandum of agreement.
Artes assured that even in a worst-case scenario where San Mateo blocks access to the landfill, Metro Manila has alternative disposal sites.
He noted that 75 percent of the capital’s garbage is already being hauled to another sanitary landfill, while two more facilities are currently applying for accreditation.
This week, the municipal government of San Mateo has disputed Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s claim that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) authorized the dumping of the capital city’s garbage in the Rizal province.
