Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 98-50)
The main policy declared is to adopt a system for the safe and sanitary disposal of waste as provided in the Philippines Environmental Code (PD 1152) and the Pollution Control Decree of 1976 (PD 984).
Absolute criteria set the minimum requirements that a landfill site must meet to be considered for selection.
The guidelines apply to all waste disposal sites in the Philippines, whether operated by local government units (LGUs) or the private sector.
Area Capability and Availability, Haul Distance and time, Proximity to Sensitive Groundwater Resources, Proximity to Perennial Surface Water, Occurrence of Flooding.
Leachate is liquid contaminated from contact with decomposing wastes containing bacteria and other materials that drain out of dumpsites and landfills, and it must be controlled to prevent environmental contamination.
The methodology includes data acquisition, plotting excluded areas based on absolute criteria on a map, identifying candidate areas for field survey, site survey and evaluation, and selection of the preferred site.
The council of elected officials must approve the final landfill site decision after due public consultation, considering both technical and financial aspects.
Conditional criteria indicate that a site has met the absolute requirements but is subject to additional conditions that can improve site selection but are not exclusionary.
A sanitary landfill is a waste disposal site designed, constructed, operated, and maintained to exercise engineering control over significant potential environmental impacts from the facility’s development and operation.
Liners act as low-permeability barriers to prevent leakage or minimize the rate of leachate escaping into the surrounding environment; they can be made of clayey soils, synthetic materials, or a combination thereof.
The other provisions shall continue to be in force as if the invalidated section or provision had never been incorporated (Separability Clause).
They take effect thirty (30) days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
The DENR is responsible for adopting and promulgating the guidelines and criteria for landfill site identification and screening to ensure safe municipal solid waste disposal.