Cebu firm wins bid to operate landfill

CEBU, Philippines - A local company came out as the most eligible in yesterday’s bidding for the privatization of the Inayawan landfill.

Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernandez, who also heads the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), said a local firm FDRCON Company Inc. came out the most eligible to operate with a minimum investment of P150 million to operate the landfill.

Manila Power Corp. accordingly lacked a document to complete its bid.

Fernandez said he will immediately form a technical working group that will oversee and evaluate the proposal of FDRCON as part of the post bidding process.

“We will look over their proposal and evaluate this whether they conform with the terms of reference,” Fernandez said.

Once the TWG approves, he will endorse the matter to the City Council for the approval of the contract and the formal awarding of the project.

He said there are also other entities that expressed willingness to tie up with FDRCON.

One of the obligations of the winning bidder, as specified in the terms of reference of the project, is the elimination of the odor at the landfill, which city officials recognized as one thing that might affect the marketability of the South Road Properties (SRP).

In addition to that a minimum investment of P150 million will be required from the contractor to set up an odor stabilization system and to convert the landfill into an open public park, leaving only a portion of land to be used as a residual waste disposal area.

The winning bidder will also be required to give the City a share of gross revenues from whatever income generated by its operation, including waste-to-energy activities, recycling and carbon credits earned from renewable energy.

The whole Inayawan landfill is 17 hectares big. – Ferliza C. Contratista/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)