Alcover: Check contract violation

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. is asking the executive department to check where the city’s hauling contractor disposed of the garbage following reports that the Environmental Management Bureau-7 has already issued a cease-and-desist order against the Aloguinsan landfill.

Alcover, a member of the opposition, said the contractor, Pasajero Motors Corporation (PAMOCOR), may have violated the terms of reference of their contract if it is dumping garbage in Aloguinsan. He said that any violation of the terms of reference is a ground for disqualification. PAMOCOR has a hauling contract of P116 million from January until this month.

According to Alcover, the executive department, specifically the Bids and Awards Committee, should look into it and implement what is stipulated in the contract.

Under the contract, the contractor is required to provide a landfill which has Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

“Ang point dili ta ka stop, they have to implement what is in the law. Ang balaod niingon nga dili sila kalabay sa usa ka landfill kung walay approval sa DENR, walay ECC. They have to strictly implement,” Alcover said.

EMB-7 earlier issued CDO against Aloguinsan landfill due to non-completion of its water waste management facility. In 2017, the same landfill was fined P27,500 for starting the project without ECC.

Alcover explained that being fined may not be considered violation of the terms or reference, but the issuance of the CDO already constitutes a violation of the conditions in the contract.

BAC head Ronaldo Malacora said he is not aware that Pamocor is dumping the garbage in Aloguinsan. Malacora said it is the duty of the Department of Public Services to monitor whether the service provider is compliant with the conditions set in the contract.

“Kami sa BAC igo rami mo-process sa purchase request, once ma-issue na ang purchase order it’s the call of DPS to monitor the performance of the contractor if compliant ba sila. If dili gani, DPS can make a report to the mayor and it’s up to mayor na,” Malacora explained.

DPS assistant head John Paul Gelasque said that Aloguinsan landfill passed the eligibility study because it has secured ECC.

“Kung walay sakto nga papeles ang Pamocor dili na sila modaog, mahibulong ko na’y mogawas sa report nga walay ECC nga naa may ECC ang Aloguinsan,” Gelasque said.

He added that aside from Aloguinsan, Pamocor is also dumping garbage in the private landfill in Consolacion. (FREEMAN)