Former Cavite Landfill Transformed into Public Hub for Disaster Preparedness, Food Security

A 40-hectare former landfill in Carmona, Cavite, has been transformed into a multi-purpose public complex focused on disaster preparedness, food security, environmental rehabilitation, and clean energy, with the Marcos administration seeking to make it a model for other local government units. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, along with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Don Artes and other government officials, led the inauguration on Friday of the MMDA Carmona Development Projects at Sitio Paligawan Matanda, Barangay Lantic. This marked the rehabilitation of a site that operated as a sanitary landfill from 1993 to 1998. The project repurposed the property into a complex that includes disaster-response training facilities, a nature park, modern agriculture facilities, and planned renewable energy infrastructure. "This is how the people’s money should be spent—on projects that our fellow citizens can truly benefit from," Recto said in a statement on Saturday. The complex includes a Disaster Preparedness Training Center equipped with a rappelling tower, confined-space structure, wrecked-building and pancake-collapse structures, a fire suppression facility and a crash vehicle extrication area. The government also plans to add a Swift Water and Flood Training Facility and an MMDA K-9 Training Facility to strengthen the capacity of emergency responders. The project would help the MMDA expand its disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities while supporting more sustainable urban development. "The facility is not only for MMDA responders, but is also open to volunteers, partner agencies, local government units, community groups and all those who wish to train and prepare for emergencies," Artes said. Recto said the safety of responders should be given priority as the government expands its disaster preparedness capabilities. "We must ensure that our responders are safe and are able to return to their families," he added. The project also includes the MMDA Nature Park, a bamboo pavilion and a seedling nursery, turning portions of the former landfill into green and recreational spaces. The development of the former sanitary landfill into the MMDA Nature Park was conceptualized by Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos during his tenure as MMDA chairman, following the policy direction of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to provide additional green and open spaces for public recreation and environmental enhancement. For food security, the complex houses facilities developed with the Department of Agriculture, including a Kadiwa ng Bayan Store, a smart demonstration agriculture facility featuring hydroponics, and a livestock farm. A ground-mounted solar photovoltaic farm is also planned for the site as part of efforts to integrate clean energy into the development. Recto described the complex as a “living ecosystem,” saying food production and clean energy could coexist with environmental protection. He also called on other local governments to replicate the Carmona project, which he said could serve as a model for converting underutilized or degraded properties into useful public infrastructure. The inauguration was also attended by Cavite 5th District Rep. Roy Loyola, Carmona Mayor Dahlia Loyola and Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, demonstrating strong inter-city cooperation and regional support for sustainable infrastructure development. Recto also linked the project to the country’s continuing flood-control and environmental challenges, saying infrastructure measures would not be enough without public cooperation in preventing improper waste disposal. He urged communities to help protect the environment, particularly as waste buildup can worsen flooding during heavy rains.