Eco Protect landfill sparks safety fears in Pampanga

Drone footage of the Eco Protect landfill in Pampanga showing tonnes of garbage sitting atop unstable volcanic lahar has sparked alarm among the people in the province, especially as the onset of the rainy season raises the risk of widespread contamination and landslides.

The 34-hectare facility operated by Eco Protect Management Corporation (EPMC), owned by a relatively unknown businesswoman named Alaine Tan, is built on loose lahar soil, which are volcanic debris deposited after the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. 

The garbage haul in what looks like a dumpsite lies just meters away from the Pasig-Potrero River, a key waterway flowing through Porac, Angeles, Bacolor, Santa Rita, and Guagua.

Aerial footage circulated online reveals eroding slopes, exposed garbage heaps, and an apparent lack of structural safeguards to prevent waste from collapsing, particularly during earthquakes or heavy rain.

The videos and photos of the drone footage are posted in the facebook page titled “Porac VS Eco Protect.” This early, netizens are raising alarm bells on social media. 

“Kung may lindol o kahit landslide lang, delikado talaga. Dapat may accountability [If there's an earthquake or even just a landslide, it's really dangerous. There must be accountability],” wrote one concerned social media user, tagging the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the agency that regulates landfills.

Just meters from the landfill, the Pasig-Potrero River flows through Porac, Angeles, and downstream to Bacolor, Santa Rita, and Guagua. Without proper barriers or leachate treatment, toxic runoff could pollute this vital waterway during storms.

“Hindi lang amoy ang problema dito—may epekto 'to sa lupa, tubig, hangin. Silent crisis 'to kung hindi aaksyunan agad [The problem here isn’t just the smell — it’s affecting the soil, water, and air. This is a silent crisis if not addressed immediately],” posted another resident on Facebook.

Residents of Barangay Mancatian complain of a constant stench from the landfill as well as leachate coming from the site. This prompted barangay officials to write a letter to Porac Mayor Francis Tamayo.

“Our constituents are affected due to the trucks delivering large volumes of garbage from different provinces dumped in landfill, Eco Protect , creating an unpleasant smell in our barangay. In line with this, we request your good office for immediate inspection. Your favorable and immediate action on this request is highly appreciated," they said.

“Meron din [katas ng basura]. Pero ngayon, tinatakpan ng lahar. Pero sabi nga, lalagyan ng drainage, filter. Pero ewan ko sa mga nagche-checkup doon kung may filter o wala [There’s also garbage leachate. But now they’re covering it with lahar. They said they would install drainage and filters—but I don’t know if the people inspecting the site ever checked if those filters are actually there],” Barangay Mancatian Captain Edilberto Layug confirmed in a TV interview.

Layug also shared that during the public hearing prior to the start of its operations, the landfill proponents gave a good presentation and appeared to have all the necessary components in place. However, when the site was later checked, many of the promised features—such as the drainage system, materials recovery facility or MRF, and other safeguards—were missing.

The drone footage also shows no windbreaks to stop toxic dust from spreading. In Pampanga’s dry season, this dust—mixed with microplastics and pathogens—could reach Santa Rita, Calulut, and beyond, risking respiratory illnesses.

As of press time, EPMC provides no public data on groundwater monitoring, despite the landfill’s proximity to shallow aquifers. Without deep liners or real-time checks, toxins could seep into wells used by thousands. 

“Sana lang, hindi puro plano ang pinakita noon. Dapat may kasamang pananagutan kapag hindi nasunod ang pangakong proteksyon sa kalikasan [I wish it wasn’t all just plans and promises back then. There should be accountability when the promised environmental protections are not fulfilled],” wrote a concerned citizen in social media.

Online commenters said the evidence is clear: Eco Protect is a ticking time bomb and Pampanga’s leaders and citizens must demand accountability from EPMC and the DENR. 

They are calling for the immediate closure of the facility until a third-party audit confirms safety. “Ipasara na 'yan—maraming magkakasakit dito sa amin at sa mga kabilang barangay [Shut it down already—many people here and in nearby barangays will get sick],” posted a frustrated Pampanga resident on social media.