San Fernando, LA UNION (November 4, 2003) - Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 1 (MGB-1) has recently assessed and recommended four proposed areas for controlled dumpsite and multi-purpose recycling facility.

MGB-1 Director Samuel T. Paragas said the proposed dumpsites are located in the municipalities of Bangui and Pinili in Ilocos Norte and Sta. Lucia and Candon City both in Ilocos Sur.

"The sites were primarily assessed based on geological criteria, namely the underlying rock units, availability of cover material, and topography," Paragas said.

The demography of town or city, land requirement, hauling distance, possible impact on nearby development, and life of the dumpsite, were also considered, the MGB official said.

The Bangui dumpsite is situated in Barangays Masiquil-Manayon some 5.5 kilometers southwest of the town proper. It has an area of 1 hectare and an expected lifespan of 17 years.

Of the 15 barangays in the municipality, the dumpsite shall cater only to the five central communities of Poblacion, Abacan, Masiquil, Bamban and Manayon.

The Pinili dumpsite, the smallest of the four at 1,656 square meters, is located just 200 meters north of the town hall. It is expected that it shall hold solid waste coming from Barangays Poblacion and Balbuena for the next eight years.

The Sta. Lucia dumpsite, which is located in Barangay Suagayan, about 4.5 kilometers of the town proper, shall serve the communities of Barangobong, Burgos and Ayusan. It covers an area of 2,200 square meters with a projected life of six years.

The Candon dumpsite is situated in Barangay Tablac, some 5 kilometers northeast of the city hall. The city has 42 barangays but the dumpsite and multi-purpose recycling facility shall cater only to the central business district and the five urban communities of San Nicolas, San Juan, San Jose, San Isidro and San Antonio.

The Candon dumpsite encompasses 2 hectares and is expected to serve the city for the next 21 years.

Pursuant to DENR Administrative Order No. 98-49 otherwise known as the “Technical Guidelines for Municipal Solid Waste Disposal," local government units, are required to upgrade their existing open dumpsite for municipal/city solid waste into controlled, and eventually, into sanitary landfills.

The MGB, because of its technical competence on geosciences and as support to the establishment of an Integrated Recycling Facility for Solid Waste Management, has been tasked to assist the LGU in determining the suitability of their proposed dumpsites. (By Roel Collado, MGB Region 1)