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HON. FRANCIS FREDERICK P. PALANCA

City Mayor
Victorias City, Negros Occidental

DEAR SIR:

This report is in relation to the recent matters regarding the utilization of a Sanitary Landfill and
a Thermal Decomposition System. It is undeniable that both solid waste management methods
are both environmentally-sound methods that maximize the utilization of valuable resources
and encourage resource conservation and recovery, however, many factors must also be
considered in order to decide how to properly utilize these methods.

To further elaborate on both, below is a comparative discussion on the matter.

I. SANITARY LANDFILL
Sanitary landfills are waste disposal sites designed, constructed, operated and maintained in a
manner that exerts engineering control over significant potential environmental impacts arising
from the development and operation of the facility.

ADVANTAGES
1. Having a sanitary landfill within Victorias City
makes us compliant with the provisions of
the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA
9003).
2. Sanitary Landfills, compliant with the
provisions of Sections 40-43 of the Solid
Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003),
its Implementing Rules and Regulations, and
other relevant laws, are safer than the
prohibited open dumpsites.
3. Having a sanitary landfill within the City also
makes the transfer of municipal waste more
efficient and convenient. Garbage transport
costs will be reduced, as our waste will only
have to travel a short distance to the local
sanitary landfill. This will also reduce the
amount of pollution caused by transporting
said municipal waste.
4. Lands formerly used as sanitary landfills, if
properly maintained, may eventually be used
for other purposes.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Sanitary landfills are partially responsible for
climate change. Gases such as methane and
carbon monoxide are inevitably produced by
materials disposed in the sanitary landfill.
2. Sanitary landfills may cause soil and water
pollution. Although sanitary landfills are
layered with protective materials which
protect the soil from municipal waste,
unexpected leakages may occur and harmful
chemicals may seep through the soil or mix
with nearby waters.
3. Sanitary landfills ultimately affect human and
animal health. Studies have been shown that
people living near or prolonged exposure to
landfills have been linked to cancer,
respiratory disorders, and developmental
defects in children. Certain birds and animals
feed on sanitary landfill sites. By doing so
they ingest harmful elements which are also
detrimental to their health.
4. Sanitary landfills also tend to use more land
area since it will have to cater to the
municipal waste of the whole city. Moreover,
due to the lack of compliant land being
offered to the City to buy, the establishment
of a sanitary landfill may prove to be tedious
and lengthy.
II. THERMAL DECOMPOSITION SYSTEM
Treatment of hazardous waste in an ultra-high temperature electrical arc in inert conditions to
avoid combustion. It is initiated by heating leading to the chemical breakdown of hazardous
wastes.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. Efficient Waste Management. TDS can burn
municipal solid and industrial waste, as well
1. Said technology is fairly new, and its adverse
as medical waste. On the other hand, sanitary
effects to the environment cannot be
landfills only allow organic decomposition
presently determined specifically.
without making much difference, and non-
organic waste keeps accumulating.
2. The National Solid Waste Management 2. Although impliedly allowed by law as an
Commission under the Environmental alternative form of technology in reducing
Management Bureau has expressed that waste, additional documents and other
individual LGUs may choose to use requirements may be imposed by national
alternative technology in disposing their government agencies overseeing the validity
wastes. In any case, an of LGU financial matters. Such may cause a
opinion/recommendation from the EMB may slight inconvenience as to the
suffice COA findings and recommendations documentation, justification, and processing,
concerning the solid waste management but when deemed justified and acceptable,
issues in the City. will no longer pose as a threat in the future.
3. The Eco-friendly Ultra-High Temperature
Thermal Decomposition System can
completely eliminate waste by combustion
3. Being comparatively new, it is prone to
with minimal residue. It is simple and
inevitable human error during handling,
compact, hence, installation is simple,
transport, or operation. Proper and
minimal manpower is needed to manage and
comprehensive training in handling this unit,
maintain the system. Moreover, a single unit
however, may reduce this risk.
can process 2-5 tons of municipal waste per
day, yet consume only a minimal amount of
fuel of any type.
4. The area needed for the facility and
installation of said unit is relatively smaller
that the land area needed in the
establishment of a sanitary landfill.
5. Although priced at more or less
P13,000,000.00 , the unit may still be more
affordable rather than purchasing an
encumbered piece of land wherein the City
will still have to pay for and shoulder the
processing and logistics for the removal of
any encumbrances.

A cursory look at the presented facts show that the adoption of the City of Victorias of the Thermal
Decomposition method is more practicable and efficient in solid waste management. It must be
anticipated that the arduous task of processing and registration may render its procurement and
implementation inconvenient at first, but in the long run, such investment and system may prove to be
rewarding.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Lara Ann A. Garcia

Special Operations Officer IV
OIC-VCENRO