Concern aired over sanitary landfill in Bulacan town

The controversial Wacuman Sanitary Landfill between Norzagaray and San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan should be shut down immediately as it is illegally operating and a big threat to health and environment, a group advocating environmental protection said.

According to the Alliance for Consumer and Protection of Environment Inc. (ACAPE), the sanitary landfill has been operating without any local government permits from Norzagaray and San Jose Del Monte.

Residents of San Jose Del Monte are against the landfill, which they said will affect their health and the environment.

“Without permits, Wacuman is illegally operating its landfill. In addition, the local government of Norzagaray has issued a cease and desist order against Wacuman but the company is wantonly violating this,” said Rhia Ceralde, spokesperson of ACAPE.

They cited that the location of the sanitary landfill is already illegal and a blatant violation of Presidential Decree 1152, which prohibits the establishment of landfills along riverbanks and streams.

Wacuman’s facilities are adjacent to a water system that violates the 300-meter distance required under the Order No. 50 in 1998 issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the group added.

Rivers and creeks in San Jose del Monte, where the landfill is located, are direct tributaries of Angat River, which flows to Angat reservoir. The reservoir supplies water to Metro Manila and nearby areas.  

The environmental group said, San Jose del Monte’s waterways are connected to Marilao River that is a tributary to Manila Bay. Wacuman is polluting the rivers of San Jose del Monte that in turn pollutes Marilao River.

According to the group, a study by CRL Environmental Corporation in February 2019, showed that samples of surface water from the junction of Bubuaya creek and outfall of Wacuman landfill pose threats to health and environment.

A Supreme Court order dated Feb. 15, 2011 ordered Bulacan local government units to protect Manila Bay, by taking action against factories, commercial establishments, and others that violate the environment.