BUTUAN CITY – The local government of Surigao City will finally commence the operation of its multi-million-peso Surigao City Solid Waste Treatment Plant (SCSWTP) next week.

It was learned that the SCSWTP is located at a 10-hectare land acquired by the city government, bordering the villages of Cagniog and Silop, which is about seven kilometers away from the city.

“This modern solid waste disposal facility is a big help to avert clogging of drainage systems in time of flooding,” said City Mayor Pons Casurra.

The construction of the state-of-the-art facility started in 2007 and is widely considered as the most significant legacy of Casurra.

The facility includes two disposal cells for residual waste, the leachate pumping station, the aerator pond, an administration building, a viewing deck for visitors, a watchtower and paved roads inside the plant.

“The segregation stations are already completed with the delivery of the aerators from abroad, Casurra said.

“I am confident that this plant will serve not only as a waste disposal facility but also as an eco-tourism activity of residents and visitors who are enthusiastic to see this facility which is now considered the most modern waste treatment facility in the country,” added Casurra.

The new waste disposal facility has been made possible through the financial grant extended by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), and facilitated by its consultant, the SWECO International of Stockholm Sweden, and through the construction loan extended by the Land Bank of the Philippines, it was gathered.

“These institutions helped us a lot in constructing this SCSWTP and we express our heartfelt gratitude to them,” said Casurra.