Landfill discussion set next week

CEBU, Philippines - A public hearing will be held next week to tackle the reopening of the Inayawan Landfill.

Barangay Inayawan has invited private companies, residents, officials of regional offices, and officials of the Cebu City government to the hearing.

The reopening has drawn criticisms because of the undeniable stench the landfill has been producing.

Inayawan Barangay Captain Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon said they convened barangay officials in an emergency meeting last week following several petitions from residents of the barangay to stop dumping wastes at the landfill.

She said the barangay was not consulted when the city government started reusing the landfill in June.

"We want to know kay we are the ones affected man gyud. Wala gani mi gipahibaw nga i-open na diay na… nakahibaw nalang mi sa media nga nagsugod na. Maski respitar lang gani, wala gyud," she told reporters.

Soon said the council invited representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, City Health Department, Office of the Mayor, and business establishments surrounding the landfill.

She said the barangay also invited some residents from within, as well as from neighboring barangays.

The public hearing is targeted to take place next week at the barangay sports complex, Soon said.

Last Wednesday, some students of the University of Cebu Maritime Education and Training Center had to wear protective masks during class owing to the foul odor emanating from the landfill.

The school is located at least two kilometers away from the landfill.

"Daghan na gyod petitions from our constituents. Wala pay labot sa mga tawag nga yawyaw," Soon said.

Unlike during the reopening in June, Soon said the barangay was consulted when former mayor Michael Rama ordered to stop dumping garbage at the landfill on January 15, 2015.

"Pag-open na gani, ako nay gibasol. Wala man gali ko kahibaw nga gi-abli nana bisag sa barangay lang," she said.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, for his part, said he is hoping that Mayor Tomas Osmeña would consider his decision.

Osmeña has said he will not allow the city government to spend P20 million a month to pay the tipping fee of a private landfill in Consolacion town so Cebu City can dump garbage there.

"There is one area of concern, which I think, the executive department must seriously look into. It is about the stench of the landfill. Grabe na kaayo ang reklamo sa katawhan. Grabe na ang reklamo sa business establishments. Hasta ang nagsakay sa barko, maabot pod ang baho gikan sa landfill," Labella said.

He said the council will make an official stand on the matter but will give the executive department reasonable time to look for an alternative dumping site.

If the executive branch does nothing, Labella said any councilor can file a Writ of Kalikasan before the court.

Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the Council's committee on environment, said he can file the case himself.

"In fact, you can even ask for a Writ of Kalikasan. This is an environmental writ. This could spell a very serious concern on health considering the stench of the landfill," Labella said.

He said the officials of DENR already admitted that the existence of 15-hectare Inayawan landfill has violated the Republic Act No. 9003 or the "Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000."

"I hope something could be done about this the soonest possible time for reasons of health and environment. Labi na ang rainy season has come in," Labella said.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has formed a task force that would evaluate the stench coming from the landfill. (FREEMAN)