Environmental Groups Seek an Independent Probe into the Operations of San Mateo Landfill

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24 March 2026, Quezon City.  As the public eagerly awaits the results of the investigations conducted on the deadly Binaliw, Cebu, and Montalban, Rizal landfill incidents, two environmental groups called on the authorities to check on the operations of another mega landfill in Rizal province.

Buklod Tao, Inc. and the EcoWaste Coalition are calling on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Municipal Government of San Mateo, Rizal, to conduct an independent and transparent probe on the compliance or non-compliance of the New San Mateo Landfill with the conditions, restrictions, and commitments as indicated on its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

Buklo Tao, Inc., through a letter sent to San Mateo Mayor Bartolome Rivera, Jr., sought an inquiry following reports that the landfill facility has expanded beyond its approved area of 401,478 square meters.  Any expansion, the group insisted, must undergo the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and obtain approval from concerned agencies, including the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB). Buklod Tao president Fe Doromal and founder Noli Abinales signed the letter dated March 10, 2026.

Aside from the alleged unauthorized expansion of the facility, Buklod Tao, Inc. echoed the concerns raised by residents in adjacent communities, such as the strong foul smell, increase in flies and other pests, and possible seeping of leachate to the streams and water sources as a result of the landfill operations, which are also observed as getting closer to where people live.

The EcoWaste Coalition, which counts on Buklod Tao among its dynamic members, supports the following demands that uphold the people’s right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment:

-  Conduct an independent inspection and analysis of the current area of operations of the said landfill;

-  Investigate the landfill facility’s compliance with the terms and conditions of its ECC;

-  Publicly disclose the findings to address the concerns of the residents; and to

-  Strengthen the municipality’s ecological solid waste management program in line with the national policy.

Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, emphasizes waste prevention, volume and toxic reduction, segregation at source, recycling and composting over landfill disposal, the groups reminded.

Buklod Tao, Inc. highlighted that practical, community-based solutions to the waste crisis already exist.  Drawing from its over three decades of experience, the group has promoted household and community-level composting systems that reduce methane emissions and landfill dependency.

In its letter to Mayor Rivera, Buklod Tao, Inc., conveyed its readiness to dialogue and collaborate with the municipal government to protect public health and the environment.

Finally, both the EcoWaste Coalition and Buklod Tao, Inc. expressed strong objection to the reported plans to construct a Waste-to-Energy (WtE) incineration plant either in Montalban or San Mateo, noting that this could pose additional health and environmental problems to the people, while undermining the shift to people-centered zero waste solutions.

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