PWS calls out former landfill operators

CEBU, Philippines — The Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PWS) has called out the previous operator of Binaliw landfill for alleged “misleading and malicious” statements and threatened to take a legal action.

In a statement released to the media yesterday, PWS answered the allegations made by ARN Central Waste Management Inc. (ACI) president Arnold Espinoza in his letter dated July 3 addressed to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-7.

Espinoza, on behalf of the former shareholders, asked the EMB7 to probe and issue notices against PWS for allegedly failing to comply with the amended Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and the alleged lack of pollution control officer.

According to PWS, the Binaliw landfill facility has a pollution control officer duly accredited by the EMB-7.

“PWS will be more than pleased to provide a copy of our PCO’s certificate valid through July 2026,” their statement reads.

Contrary to Espinoza’s claim, PWS said they have submitted their compliance monitoring report for the period July to December 2023 through their accredited PCO.

On the issue of ownership, PWS said they already completed the requirements for the transfer of ownership except for the one request letter that needs to come from Espinoza and the former shareholders.

“To date, no request letter has been issued which makes the process of difficult to undertake for PWS,” they said.

Due to the alleged “malicious and misleading” statements, PWS said they are currently studying the option of pursuing legal action against Espinoza and the other former shareholders.

Meanwhile, a barangay captain in the neighboring area of Binaliw raises another complaint on the alleged effects of the landfill on their water resources.

Barangay Captain Ares Balaba Jr. of Panoypoy, Consolacion said in an interview with former Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman that they are now seeking the help of acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to address the problem.

According to him, residents in his barangay have been complaining on the effects of the landfill to their water source.

“Nya ang mga tawo moreklamo na gyud… sige ra sila gapalit og tubig, ultimo sa panginahanglanon sa adlaw-adlaw wa na gyud sila magamit, tan-aw nako sa tubig di na gyud safety,” he said.

“Akong gipaabot nila ang concern sa katawhan nga mao ra  ang tubig wa unta na ingon ana kung wala maabot ang inyong negosyo diri sa among barangay. Dili sa barangay ng negosyaha, sa Cebu City na, ang epekto lang sa basura naa sa among barangay,” he added. –/FPL (FREEMAN)