PWS exec assures city: Measures being done

CEBU, Philippines — Prime Waste Solutions Cebu (PWS) has assured city officials during an ocular inspection Friday that ongoing rehabilitation has been done on the waste facility in Barangay Binaliw since it acquired in January 2023.

The assurance was made by Kara Peralta, president of (PWS Cebu), to the visiting city officials led by acting Mayor Raymond Garcia. Peralta said the facility has “doubled up” chemical spraying of fresh waste to control odor.

Other improvements in the facility include putting up a second materials recovery facility (MRF) line to increase capacity and the commissioning of the new and upgraded wastewater treatment facility next month.

Garcia and some city councilors visited the facility on Friday morning to conduct an ocular inspection following complaints about the odor emanating from the facility.

 Accompanied by the PWS team, Garcia, Councilors Pastor Alcover Jr., Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella and Joel Garganera went to the landfill, where the mayor observed that the odor was tolerable.

“We don’t necessarily really blame you because you just acquired this from the previous (management),” Garcia said during the meeting, noting that the facility was “also helping the city in a sense that we are throwing our garbage here.”

PWS fully acquired ARN Central Waste Management Inc. (ACI) in January 2023, with a vision of transforming the landfill into a modern MRF with the ultimate goal of recovering and recycling 80 percent to 90 percent of total waste received, significantly reducing landfill volumes.

Garcia advised PWS to strengthen their collaboration with surrounding communities by engaging closely and implementing impactful CSR projects.

“Let them feel that you’re here. Let them feel your presence, that’s very important. They have to feel that you’re here, that you’re willing to help them that this is a joint effort between you and them,” the mayor told PWS officials.

The acting mayor also asked PWS to submit a report on three things within the week. One was the mitigation and long term plans on how to eradicate the smell coming from the facility which was raised by residents of neighboring areas.

The acting mayor also asked the PWS to submit a report about concerns on water quality following complaint from residents in nearby Consolacion town.

Garcia said there was already an understanding that a joint inspection would be made together with PWS to look at areas where water samples would be taken. He said there were reports that during heavy rains, water from the facility would flow out.

"So I wanted a report on that og unsa na ilang gibuhat regarding this particular matter kay naa man sad tay mga report nga contaminated pud atong rivers and eventually kanang mga tubiga raba mao nay muadto sa ubos, mao nay mahimong drinking water nato," Garcia said.