BAGUIO CITY, Philippines—The city faces yet another hurdle in its waste disposal problem as communities, where lots have been identified as possible sites for its engineered sanitary landfill, have objected to the idea.

Some 700 residents of Nangalisan and Itogon towns in Benguet are opposing the plan to set up the landfill in their areas.

In two separate petitions dated August 29 and September 30, residents of Nangalisan said they fear the spread of diseases from hospital and clinic wastes and from harmful insects and animals that will likely stay in the dumping pit.

They also expressed concern over the possibility of soil erosion and flood due to typhoons and earthquakes, as well as the pollution of water sources.

It was not true that residents did not oppose the plan, they said, adding that several of them had made known their rejection during the first consultation on the proposal on August 4.

“The proposed sanitary landfill will definitely affect/pollute our sources of potable drinking water, including the creeks/brooks, which are just below the proposed sanitary landfill,” they said in their petitions.

Baguio hopes to finally identify a suitable location for its sanitary landfill by the end of the year so that construction of a more complicated design needed for such a facility can begin soon.

Cordelia Lacsamana, head of Baguio’s environment and parks management office, said the city had identified seven possible sites, including Sto. Tomas, Nagalisan and Itogon towns, all in Benguet.

“We have to assess all sites to be presented to the panel or special body that will be constituted. We are consolidating all reports by this week,” she said.

She said Nangalisan and Itogon, though still being considered, might be removed from the list because of the lack of social acceptability.

Baguio City Administrator Peter Fianza said it would be difficult for the city to acquire a lot if nearby communities would not accept the proposal.

The city council approved the allocation of P15 million to build the structure that would prevent garbage from cascading from the Irisan dump here when the city uses the facility for a few more months.

“Since July, the amount of residuals we haul out has been dropping but we expect this to increase during the holiday season due to an increase in economic activity. But with mitigating measures for Irisan, it can be used as a controlled facility for another four or five months,” Lacsamana said.

But she said the temporary measure in Irisan should not stop the city from identifying and acquiring a permanent sanitary landfill.