Hundreds of local government unit (LGU) representatives from at least 20 municipalities in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions have visited Lepanto Mining in Mankayan, Benguet in 2019, to learn about the company’s Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL) and make it a benchmark for solid waste management (SWM) in their respective localities.
LGU members from the municipalities of San Juan, Tayum, Tineg, Pilar and La Paz in Abra, Balbalan, in Kalinga, Lagawe in Ifugao, Paracelis in Mt. Province, La Trinidad, Kibungan and Bakun in Benguet, and Suyo and Cervantes in Ilocos Sur were among the groups who paid Lepanto Mining camp a visit.
Even the mayors themselves of Tuba, Atok, Kapangan, Itogon, Buguias, Tublay and Bokod in Benguet toured the mine site to see how Lepanto’s ESL work. They were all accompanied by the company’s officers to the site of the ESL in Tamangan area in Brgy. Sapid, where they witnessed the entire process of the landfill.
“Solid waste management has been really a challenge for any municipality in the country, and we in Tublay, Benguet can use what we have learned from this benchmarking activity to even improve waste management in our municipality,” Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro shared.
The benchmarking tour is in response to the directive of DENR Undersecretary and Chair of the National Solid Waste Management Commission Benny Antiporda to make Lepanto Mining’s ESL a benchmark in the solid waste management of the LGUs in the Cordillera region during the 4th Environmental Summit in Baguio last August 8, 2019.
“It’s good for the local government units in the Cordillera to adapt this practice of Lepanto because it is simple and basic, but effective management of solid waste,” Usec Antiporda told the EMB Cordillera representatives when they visited Lepanto Mining’s booth that showed a short video of the company’s ESL.
Constructed on a 2,800 square meter lot, the ESL started its operation in 2017, which collects for free residual wastes from households within the mining community and nearby barangays in Mankayan.
From 20% decrease in collected residual waste in 2018, it even dropped significantly to 35% in 2019. Besides the ESL, Lepanto also strictly implements plastic ban and No Segregation No Collection policy inside the mine camp.
“The construction of Lepanto’s ESL is part of our continued commitment as a partner of the government in putting into practice what responsible mining is all about,” beamed LCMC President and COO Bryan U. Yap.
Lepanto Mining’s Engineered Sanitary Landfill is the first in the Philippine mining industry.
By Butch Mendizaval
File photo: Students and faculty members of Lepanto National High School explored the science behind Lepanto Mining’s Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL). Various groups from other mining companies and local government units have also visited Lepanto’s ESL, making it a benchmark in solid waste management in their respective areas. Originally published August 25, 2019. Contributed photo.
