In the wake of the Kalangitan sanitary landfill’s closure in Capas, Tarlac, the provincial government has reassured residents that garbage collection services will continue without interruption. The landfill, managed by Metro Clark Waste Management Corporation (MCWMC), shut down following the expiration of its contract with Clark Development Corporation (CDC) on October 5. Governor Susan Yap emphasized that the province is collaborating with alternative waste management facilities that meet the standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Yap stressed the province’s dedication to safeguarding public health and the environment. She also called on other local government units that utilized the Kalangitan landfill to swiftly secure alternative waste management solutions to maintain seamless waste collection and management. Yap highlighted Tarlac’s commitment to legal compliance and expressed gratitude for the support from the national government and private sector in ensuring continuous waste management services. Meanwhile, the CDC firmly upheld the landfill’s closure, stating that a preliminary injunction from a Capas Regional Trial Court did not permit MCWMC to resume operations. The CDC clarified that it holds the sole authority to approve operations, and without its authorization, MCWMC cannot operate. Additionally, Nanding Caballar from DENR-Environment and Management Bureau clarified that the injunction MCWMC obtained pertains only to its lease contract with the CDC, not to the operation of the landfill.
