Siargao Island faces trash disposal problem

There is trouble brewing in the island paradise of Siargao —trash disposal.

According to a report by GMA News' Joseph Morong in “24 Oras” on Thursday, a significant amount of trash in the island can be seen even if there was a clear attempt to hide it under the sand.

The trash spotted included glass bottles and electronic devices.

General Luna Mayor Veronico Solloso admitted that disposing off trash is a problem since the local government is still working on securing a permanent dumpsite for the island's trash.

“'Yung pagkakaroon ng permanent dumping site, maraming proseso. Ang na-identify namin na bagong dumping site is pasado sa EMB (Environmental Management Bureau)," Solloso said.

Solloso, however, said the local government would need additional fund to pay the private owner of the site.

General Luna administrative officer Peejay Gorgonio, for his part, said that negotiations are ongoing for the provincial government to buy the said land to be used as a dumpsite.

“'Yung target ho niyan is 'yung talagang ideal sanitary landfill,” Gorgonio said.

Solloso said the island problem with its trash was not turning off visitors.   

“Hindi ito makakaapekto kahit maraming tao araw-araw dumating dito sa Siargao, lalo na dito sa General Luna. Nare-recover namin 'yung basura nila," Solloso said.

"Dapat magtulungan tayo. Kung may mga problema, makipag-usap kayo sa local government unit,” Solloso added. —Llanesca Panti/LDF, GMA News