Chemistry students of Silliman University will regularly monitor and test the water supply in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, to ensure that there are no leaks or contamination of the groundwater source.

The bayawan City Waste Management and Ecology Center that started operations recently is claimed to be the most sophisticated sanitary landfill in the country. Dr. Ben Malayang III, SU president, said they are supporting the innovation of Bayawan in conserving and protecting the environment.

The Chemistry students will collect and analyze samples based on the parameter and conduct regular monitoring to ensure that there is no migration or leak of bacteria from the underground water source. The  Bayawan City Waste Management and Ecology Center is located in Barangay Maninihon, Bayawan City with a land area of 27,000 hectares. The facility can hold at least 60,000 cubic meters of waste from Bayawan and neighboring towns.

Bayawan Mayor German Sarana said the center will have a life span of 10-15 years depending on how it is managed. The project coast P31 million taken from the coffers of Bayawan, and was with the technical assistance from the German Technical Cooperation. Saraña said the facility has four functions: sanitary landfill, collection of sludge, materials, recovery facility and organic fertilizer production. 

Pit Hletmann, deputy head of mission of the German Embassy, said he is grateful that Bayawan took the challenge of putting up the City Waste Management and Ecology Center. He said only a few LGU’s have adopted such a project.