Dumping of garbage in mountain brgys probed

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered an immediate investigation on the report that big establishments operating in the city are dumping tons of their garbage in the mountain barangays.

Rama has tasked the Department of Public Services, Cebu City Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the barangay officials to look into the matter with urgency.

The Mayor said that what has been discovered by the team of Councilor Nida Cabrera is a serious violation of the environmental laws. Rama vows to take the matter before the court if necessary.

“They should pay the consequences for having violated a simple law,” Rama said.

Tons of garbage allegedly coming from some big establishments in the city were discovered by CESET team led by Cabrera dumped in Barangays Taptap, Sirao, Cambinocot, Adlaon and Malubog.

The discovery happened during a clean up activity recently conducted in the mountain barangays. Officials suspect that the garbage was dumped at night.

They believe that the practice has been going on for quite a while since some of the garbage is already decomposing.

Rama said that the city might establish checkpoints in the mountain barangays if necessary. He said that the practice must be stopped immediately due to its negative impact to the environment.

He also ordered the barangay environment officers to strengthen their monitoring of illegal activities in their area.

The city government is currently looking a site for a new sanitary landfill since the one in Inayawan is already full.

Officials said that the lack of site where to dump the garbage is the reason why private contractors are dumping the garbage they have collected in the mountain barangays.

Apart from finding a new site, the city is also studying the feasibility of entering an agreement with private companies that have proposed a joint venture with them to develop a modern facility at the landfill to convert waste to energy. (FREEMAN NEWS)