At Binaliw Landfill: Labella stops trash dumping

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City and its neighboring local government units have only until the end of this month to look for alternative dumpsite after Mayor Edgardo Labella gave the management of Binaliw Landfill until July 30 to accept garbage at its facility.

Labella is determined to fulfill his campaign promise not to allow the city to be a dumping site of garbage from other cities and municipalities in Metro Cebu. The mayor said he talked to Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes about it and the latter asked for more time to look for alternative dumpsite.

“I talked with Mayor Jonas. They are still looking for another landfill where to dump. Ato lang tagaan og few days. Pero sige lang. we will give them until July 30,” Labella told The FREEMAN.

Labella said that the ARN Central Waste Management Inc., owner of the landfill in Binaliw, has already agreed to stop accepting garbage from public and private haulers after July 30.

ARN has been accommodating the garbage from Mandaue City and municipalities of Lilo-an, Compostela, and Cordova after the landfill in Consolacion was closed because of environmental issues months ago.

The Binaliw Landfill is receiving at least 300 to 500 tons of garbage every day from these local government units. The mayor claimed that the ARN Central Waste Management Inc. only has an application to operate waste-to-energy facility and not a landfill.

ARN President and Executive Director Sherwin Santos was not available for comment as of press time.

With Labella’s ultimatum, the city and its neighboring LGUs are left with one option—to throw their garbage in Aloguinsan, which is 55 kilometers away from Cebu City.

Cebu City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr. said the city government is leaving the matter to its private hauler where to dump the garbage.

At present, the city has contracted Jomara Konstruckt Incorporated for hauling service from the Inayawan transfer station to another landfill for final disposal.  Jomara’s contract, however, is expiring on July 20.

“Among arrangement with Jomara is molabay sa Binaliw or anywhere. Wala pami ka monitor asa molabay og garbage,” Casas said.

The city is also in the process of cancelling the P65-million contract with ARN for garbage disposal. Casas said the city will rebid the P65 million or might do the emergency purchase so as not to stop the garbage collection and disposal.

“Emergency considering nga ang budget for basura is only up to June 30 (garbage disposal). We are operating on an extended contract. Wala ta’y allocation for budget since July 1,” he added.

Casas said the city’s executive department will also study the possible inclusion of budget for the garbage collection and disposal under the first supplemental budget. —  FPL (FREEMAN)