By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The city government of Bacolod has yet to decide as to where the new sanitary landfill will be located in the city.
Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said they are still studying as to where they could buy the new lot for the city’s landfill.
Leonardia explained the city government could not expedite in buying a vacant lot as it must first be approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
However, one of the areas they are currently studying is in Barangay Felisa, which is near the older waste facility.
A site in Barangay Granada is also being eyed, but there are some concerns that it could affect the nearby watershed.
Earlier, the DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau of Negros Island Region issued a closure order to the old sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, as it has been transformed into an open dumpsite, which is a violation of Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act./WDJ