The rehabilitation of the Irisan dumpsite will be delayed pending approval by the Department of Public Works and Highways central office of the project’s program of work.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said rehabilitation should have started several days ago but the city was informed that the program of work has to be approved first by the DPWH.

The DPWH regional office has already approved the plan but it has to be forwarded to the central office for final approval.

Domogan told reporters Wednesday rehabilitation will commence as soon as all the papers are approved following the release by Malacañang of the P80 million to fund the conversion of the Irisan dump facility into an eco-park.

The mayor acknowledged the urgency of rehabilitating the dump facility to avoid a repeat of the disaster that occurred at the height of Typhoon Mina on Aug. 27, 2011.

To recall, six persons, including three young siblings, died while several houses were totally and partially damaged by the avalanche of garbage prompting Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan to lead the filing of a Writ of Kalikasan against the city government.

But recently, the parties in the Writ of Kalikasan has submitted to the Court of Appeals a joint motion for rendition of a consent decree after they agreed that the facility will be closed perpetually subject to conditions the city must strictly comply.

Based on the program of work for the project prepared by the City Engineer’s Office with help from top technical experts from the private sector, the project would cover structure excavation; cutting of existing pavement; breaking of existing dilapidated pavement; breaking of boulders; base preparation;  and construction of box culvert, open canal, canal with gratings and pathwalk.

The plan also provides for concrete pavement; reinforced concrete retaining wall; septic tank; litter fence; reformation, benching, and stabilization of slope; grouting works; final cover; gas vents; grouted riprap; suction pump; manhole; and hauling of materials.

If the CA approves the joint motion, the city government will implement the rehabilitation plan of the dumpsite within a non-extendable period of 20 months from the grant of the consent decree and that no vertical extensions in the retaining walls at the site shall be constructed.