Friday, June 12, 2009 [ sunstar.com.ph ]
A KOREAN engineering consultancy firm will be exploring the areas in Benguet for the possible establishment of a sanitary landfill for the province.
The feasibility study came immediately after Benguet entered into partnership ties with the province of Cheungcheongbuk-do in Korea late last month.
Governor Nestor Fongwan said the feasibility study, which will be conducted by Korean firm DOHWA Consulting Engineers, Co. Ltd., would include the exploration of areas where a sanitary landfill is practical.
The feasibility study, Fongwan said would end on October. Based on the schedule prepared by the Korean firm, the duration was to start April, but the field surveys are scheduled June.
Two areas in the province are being considered for the study --municipalities of Tuba and Itogon, which are both currently scouting for sites to put up their respective sanitary landfills.
Fongwan said the Korean firm was able to obtain around US$80 million for the conduct of the feasibility study.
Benguet’s estimated daily garbage generation is 194.89 tons. Of this, 54.77 percent consists of food wastes and other organics.
Of the recyclables, papers 9.8 percent; reusable plastics 3.61 percent; glass and bottles 4.57 percent; metals 1.05 percent and other recyclables 1.65 percent.
Special wastes account to four percent of the total waste generation, while residuals like plastics and diapers 4.75 and three percent, respectively. Styrofoam consists of 0.76 percent and other residuals 9.40 percent.
Fongwan said the request for a feasibility study on the establishment of a sanitary landfill for Benguet was made last year, when officials from the Korean province visited the province for the first time.
The governor, on May 31, signed the memorandum of understanding and friendship agreement with Chungcheongbuk-do Gov. Chung, Woo Taik.
Witnessed the signing was President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Among the agreements contained in the partnership ties included the two province’s willingness to be active in the promotion of bilateral exchange and cooperation in the sectors of economic development, education, agriculture, fire fighting and disaster management, environment, tourism and aviation. (JC)
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