The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) denounces the continuous illegal operations of the Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWMC) of the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill in Capas, Tarlac, in violation of the 60-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals. The TRO essentially allows the land owner, BCDA, to recover the state-owned property, there being no effective injunction that will hinder it to do so.
There is no valid Authority to Operate (ATO) and business permit issued over the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill.
It was recently reported and documented that MCWMC has illegally set up a station along the road outside the landfill, encroaching on BCDA land outside of the facility. Aside from the barriers set up by MCWMC preventing recovery efforts, security on the ground reported a foul smell emanating from the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill, raising health and safety concerns for the neighboring communities.
Representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as well as sanitation inspectors and public health officials from the Provincial Government of Tarlac and Municipal Government of Capas were immediately contacted by BCDA to prevent further harm to neighboring communities and to authorities on the ground during recovery efforts.
BCDA urges Metro Clark Waste Management Corp. (MCWMC) to uphold the rule of law, to stop trespassing on government property, and to cease its illegal operations of the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill.
With this, BCDA renews its call for local government units (LGUs), businesses, and other clients to stop using the sanitary landfill. To reiterate, the landfill has no Authority to Operate (ATO) or business permit. Continued use of the facility constitutes a violation of existing environmental laws such as Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
The BCDA also assures the public that it is in coordination with the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau, the concerned LGUs, and other stakeholders to ensure non-disruption of waste management services in affected areas.