The local government of Taytay in Rizal province is pressing the Laguna Lake Development Authority
(LLDA) to seriously consider its application to be included in the financing by the World Bank of vital installations surrounding Asia’s second largest freshwater basin.

Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula said they are particularly after the inclusion of Taytay in the LLDA list of local government units due for financial assistance from the World Bank under the Laguna de Bay Institutional Strengthening and Community Participation (LISCOP) Project.

Gacula said that they have long asked the lake agency’s help in complying with Executive Order 774 requiring local executives to reduce solid waste generation by 50 percent in six months, stressing that their request for assistance in putting up an environmentally-sound solid waste disposal facility dates back two years ago.

“We have long been wanting a synchronized program with the LLDA based on a common agenda, which is to preserve, protect and promote sustainable development in the Laguna de Bay region. It is however unfortunate that we remain out of the list when we all know for a fact that we are among those that need it most,” Gacula said.

Twenty-four LGUs around Laguna de Bay have been selected by the LLDA, which implements the World Bank financing program under the LISCOP Project. These 24 LGUs host 36 environmental sub-projects comprising of 14 materials recovery and composting facilities (MRF), two flood control projects, six eco-tourism projects, two waste water treatment facilities and one sanitary landfill.

Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are now modelled in the towns of Liliw, Sta. Cruz and Nagcarlan in Laguna; Tanay, Teresa and Morong in Rizal Province. Under construction are MRFs in Victoria, Pakil, Pangil and Mabitac in Laguna and GMA in Cavite.

Some others are waiting for the procurement of equipment as in the case of Angono in Rizal and Siniloan in Laguna, while others are installing electrical connections like Pila, Laguna.

Four more proposals for MRF from the municipalities of Paete, Antipolo City and Lucban are awaiting approval by end of August.

LISCOP-funded MRFs have reduced 50 to 67 percent of baseline solid waste level, leading to the upgrading of 20 out of 4 (about 49 percent) LGU-operated open dump sites in the Laguna de Bay Region.

Early this year, environmental activists from Greenpeace swooped down on Taytay’s controlled dump in Barangay Muzon and locked it down. The facility was established during the term of former mayor Jojo Zapanta. The same year, the LLDA handed over Taytay its second “Nakakasulasok Award” over the presence of the garbage facility in Barangay Muzon.

“Alam nila (LLDA) ang problema ng Taytay. In fact, dalawang ulit nila kami binigyan ng “Nakakasulasok Award,” Gacula said.