LANDFILL OPERATOR ASKS CDC, BCDA TO UPHOLD THE RULE OF LAW

BY KEVIN GALANG 

CAPAS, Tarlac – The Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation (MCWMC) appealed to the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to uphold the rule of law by not forcibly taking over the 100-hectare Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill in this town.

The MCWMC issued the appeal after the Court of Appeals (CA) issued on December 16 a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) suspending the writ of injunction earlier issued by the Capas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 66 that prohibited the CDC and BCDA from forcibly evicting the former from the landfill located within the Clark Special Economic Zone.

The MCWMC said it acknowledges the CA’s TRO in favor of CDC, temporarily halting the Preliminary Injunction issued by RTC Capas on October 29, 2024. 

“We respect the judicial process and remain committed to defending our rights and obligations under our lease agreement in the appropriate legal forums,” the MCWMC in a statement said.

It reiterated that CA TRO does not authorize CDC to forcibly take over the Kalangitan Sanitary Landfill property, saying that no court order exists that would permit such action since the ongoing legal dispute regarding the status of their contract is still pending for resolution by the courts in Angeles City and Tarlac.

“Above all, we remind everyone that the Philippines is a society governed by the rule of law, not by force or intimidation. It is unlawful to forcibly take possession of a property without a due process and a proper Court Order. We call on CDC and the BCDA to uphold these principles and avoid actions that undermine legal and ethical standards,” the MCWMC  said.

According to MCWM, it continues to fulfill its critical role in addressing the waste management needs of over 100 local government units. 

“Every day, we responsibly manage over 3,000 tons of municipal, industrial, and hospital waste, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and safeguarding public health. The Kalangitan Landfill is a world-class, ISO-certified engineered sanitary landfill, setting the benchmark for compliance and environmental stewardship, and is the only facility of its kind in the Philippines,” it added.

On October 29, the Capas RTC issued a writ of injunction against CDC and BCDA, giving it the right to continue accepting thousands of tons of garbage everyday.