Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia yesterday announced that the Spanish government has granted the city 220,000 Euros, or P14,108,600, for a Solid Waste Management Program Feasibility Study.

Leonardia, who met with Spanish Economic Counsellor Juan Miguel Cortez and embassy officials in Manila last week, said Bacolod is the only city in the Philippines that has been given a grant by the Spanish government for Solid Waste Management, a press release from the City Hall said.

The other grantees in Asia are China, Indonesia and Vietnam, he said.

The study will be conducted by Spanish companies, accredited by the Spanish Government, who are experienced in this field. The City Government, however, shall assist the embassy in selecting the study group, Leonardia said.

"Considering that Spain is one of the cleanest countries in the world, and among the top tourist destinations, we expect a highly competent and technical study. This will help make Bacolod City among the best in the country in terms of Solid Waste Management preparedness", Leonardia said.

The Mayor said that the study will cover all aspects of Solid Waste Management, from garbage collection to material recovery, to sanitary landfill. He said the Spanish Embassy is sending Jose Primo Santos Jr., an Economic and Commercial Analyst, for a preliminary conference with the City's Solid Waste Management team on December 11 and 12, this year.

A technical team from Spain is expected by January 2006 in Bacolod for initial inspection, Leonardia said.*

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