9 of 13 northern town mayors support waste facility project

Nine out of the 13 mayors in the northern cluster that would benefit from the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility that the provincial government will be constructing in Danao City signed a pledge of commitment to support the project.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia asked the mayors from 10 municipalities and three component cities to sign the commitment for the provincial government to know who among them are interested in the project.

The governor was disappointed during the past two meetings she had called because most of the mayors showed no interest on the project as manifested by their absence.

The governor even walked out of the meeting yesterday upon seeing that only four mayors were present. She however came back after five more mayors arrived.

Garcia scheduled another meeting on November 29 wherein she and the mayors will already sign a memorandum of understanding on the project.

The governor said that the provincial government is trying to help the local government units comply with the Solid Waste Management Act for them to avoid possible charges in court. However, Garcia said the provincial government would not force to channel help to these mayors if they don't welcome such.

Most of the mayors however who are expected beneficiaries of the project have already pledged their commitment to the project. The mayors who signed the commitment include Arturo Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City, Arleigh Sitoy of Cordova, Maria Sevilla of Liloan, Virginio Villamor of Carmen, Rosemarie Suezo of Tuburan, Avelino Gungob of Consolacion, Estrella Aribal of Catmon, Neal Vergara of Borbon and Raul Gerona of Tabuelan.

Mayors Thaddeus Durano and Ramon Durano III, of Sogod and Danao City, respectively, sent representatives to sign the commitment on their behalf.

But, Garcia said she wanted that the mayors will be present during the next meeting because no representatives will be allowed to sign in the memorandum of understanding.

The facility that the province will build in barangay Maslog, Danao City will be used as common dumpsite for the towns of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Carmen, Catmon, Sogod, Tuburan, Tabuelan and Borbon and the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.

A memorandum of understanding is necessary for the project because the municipal government and component cities will have to pay a minimal tipping fee to sustain the operation of the facility. The municipalities and component cities however will not spend a centavo to build the facility because the provincial government will shoulder the expenses for such, including garbage collection, from segregation to disposal. - Fred P. Languido