Dump it

EDITORIAL

Whoever thought of the idea that an upland village in Floridablanca, Pampanga would be the perfect site for a sanitary landfill or open dump is terribly mistaken.

The idea was downright ridiculous and clearly bereft of sound reasoning and thorough research.

The proposed site, which is more or less 11 hectares, is too close to a community of Aetas and could possibly become a breeding ground of diseases. The Aeta community is considerably high up in the mountains and is far from well-equipped medical institutions to address the native's health concerns, which could be at risk with the establishment of a garbage dump nearby.

Second, the lush vegetation in the area would have to be cleared, exposing the barren earth to the elements inducing possibilities of land slide.

Water resources of areas around the proposed site will also be compromised by the mixture of garbage which will be dumped in the property. High in the mountains, probably, are several streams that run down to communities below the slopes. Underground water reservoir could also be polluted by the garbage which could easily sift through the porous ground.

We should also not forget that the government has already prohibited the operation of open dump sites. Local officials who will violate this will surely face charges.

So, Gov. Lilia Pineda's trip to the site last week should be nothing more than a mere inspection to guide her on whether she would accept the proposal and not as a signal that the provincial government is beginning preparation for the property. Eager as she may be in solving the garbage problem of the province, Pineda should be careful not to break the laws unwittingly because of some people around her feeding her with wrong information to push for their personal interests.

Capitol should once and for all dump the suggestion for the garbage site and search for other alternatives in addressing the problem through means that are both friendly to the environment and correct in every legal aspect.

That proposal is nothing but rubbish.