Growing dumpsite stench affects SRP marketability

CEBU, Philippines - Touted as the “jewel” that could reap millions for Cebu, the South Road Properties is at risk of losing its sparkle with the mounting concerns regarding the Inayawan dumpsite, which is located right at the middle of SRP and the Inayawan residential area.

The Cebu Investments Promotions Center (CIPC), the marketing arm of SRP, admits that the growing stench at the open dumpsite could affect the marketability of the SRP, despite its strategic location as the gateway to the south.

CIPC managing director Joel Mari S. Yu said they have already recommended to the Cebu City government for the immediate relocation of the dumpsite, for the SRP to attract more investors as well as to prevent complaints from existing investors such as Bigfoot Global Solutions, Filinvest Land Incorporated, and SM Prime Holdings.

“I have already recommended to the Mayor that the dumpsite should be relocated soon. But as to how soon? It will depend on the City government,” Yu said adding that the concern of the investors, who are currently building their facilities at the area, is on the foul smell that oozes from the dump to the rest of the 300-hectare spread area.

“The SRP is our premier investment destination in Cebu. The dumpsite must be relocated in order to attract more investors. The presence of the dumpsite is not good specifically that SRP will be the next “pride” of Cebu,” Yu said.

Just this month, SM Prime Holdings finally clinched a deal with the Cebu City Government for the purchase of 30-hectares of prime lots for a P20 billion development project at the SRP.

SM Prime Holdings plans to build one of the world’s largest malls at the SRP as well as establishments of high-end residential condo units, hotels, hospital, and a university.

Filinvest Land Incorporated (FLI), on the other hand, will also spend P25 billion to develop 40-hectares at the SRP.

Filinvest earlier announced that the company will build a multi-residential development that will give Cebu City another landmark with an international flavor, as well as attract the local investors.

Yu said Mayor Tomas Osmeña has already agreed to his recommendation of the relocation but the timetable will depend on how fast the Cebu City government could act on this.

In 2008, Bigfoot Global Solutions, reportedly complained about the foul odor coming from the Inayawan dumpsite, which prompted the Cebu City government to use filling materials to cover the hills of trash. This was when Bigfoot personnel were about to move in to their new building at the SRP.

The city government in fact, encouraged the public to donate leftover sand, gravel and other filling materials at the SRP.

However, if the presence of the dumpsite at the SRP hampers the entry of potential investors in the area, relocating it would also mean cutting off the means of livelihood of the scavengers who largely depend on the daily load of garbage dumped at the Inayawan dumpsite.

Lola Minda, a resident of the area who has made a living through scavenging, said she does not really care about the unpleasant smell anymore since what she does at the dump has given them food on their tables.

The old lady said a lot of them depend on what they get from the trash and it has been their livelihood for so many years already and they have no idea what to do and where to go if the dumpsite will be closed as to what they have heard from reports.

She shared that there are times that they find pieces of jewelry in the garbage which is a great help to them but other than that they hope to find other things, which they could benefit from like pieces of metal, plastic and bottles.

Maricris Arites, another resident of the area for the past 15 years said that a lot of people live near the dumpsite and in fact is divided into different areas just at the back portion of the mountain of garbage.

She said they have grown used to the stench, which really gets bad, especially during the rainy season followed by a very hot day and the garbage is being bulldozed and compacted.

But then she said it does not bother them, in fact more and more people are locating in the area to find livelihood through scavenging.

Erlinda Quisel, who has been selling cooked food with her mother just steps away from the dumping site, said that it has not affected their business at all since most of the residents prefer to eat there rather than going to the small stores located at the main road, which is very far.

And as more scavengers grow by the day at the area, small businesses likewise sprouted near the dumpsite selling meals unmindful of the foul smell at the area that could be harmful to their health.            

But for Quisel, she said their health has not been affected and ever since, they have lived happily in the area.

The 15.41-hectare Inayawan landfill started its operation in 1998. Although the landfill’s lifespan was supposed to be only seven years, it is still operating until now due to the lack of a relocation site and the city government has been using a compactor machine for the leveling and pushing of the garbage at the landfill.

Environmentalists have already raised concerns on the growing number of garbage in the area made up of non-segregated trash that would cause damage to the environment and the residents within the area.