CEBU, Philippines — A private contractor managing the garbage transfer station in Barangay Inayawan “violated” the contract with the Cebu City government.
So said Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who issued a memorandum dated June 28, 2021, enumerating the requirements stipulated in the contract that DOCAST Construction/JJ & J Construction and General Supply, the city’s contracted garbage hauler, reportedly failed to comply with.
Rama, who described the document as a “serious memo”, said it was sent yesterday to John David Javier, the firm’s general manager.
Rama has given the firm 48 hours to explain its lapses and violations.
Failure to meet the deadline would mean the firm waives its right.
“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby given 48 hours from receipt hereof to submit a written explanation and documentary proof, under oath (duly notarized), to shed light as to the matters herein stated.”
“Failure on your part to comply with this directive shall be deemed a waiver, hence, the city government shall resolve the issue based upon the merits on record,” the memorandum read.
The FREEMAN tried to reach Javier for comment but did not receive a response as of this writing.
As stated in the memorandum signed by Rama, such is with reference to the Purchase Order under P.O. No. 080, by and between DOCAST Construction/JJ & J Construction and General Supply and the Cebu City government, dated February 16, 2021.
Based on the said PO, the bidder must possess a property of not less than one hectare in land area that is suitable to serve as a motor pool; must be able to present its weight determination facility or weighbridge facility; and must have at least 50 units of garbage collection and hauling equipment specifically dump truck transporters with certificate of inspection from Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) and Department of Public Services (DPS), among others.
“After thorough inspection on the Inayawan Transfer Station, it has come to our knowledge that you have not complied with the above stated requirements,” read the memo.
The memo also stated that to this date, there is only one waste transfer station existing in the south, not owned by the DOCAST but somebody else, which is “undeniably substandard.” There is no transfer station in the north area considering the fact that this must exist prior to entering the contract.
Second, there is no proper monitoring as to how much garbage is disposed of in the landfill, due to the alleged absence of a proper person to monitor the weighing process from ARN landfill located in Barangay Binaliw as well as in the transfer station.
As also provided in the memo, according to the report, the firm is reportedly only providing 13 trucks, which is far less than the minimum requirement of at least 50 units they need to provide.
Further, based on the report, the company was refused to dump at a landfill in Binaliw after allegedly failing to pay the landfill operator, ARN Central Waste Management Inc, more than P18 million in dues, which consist of P1,027,386.60 for 2020 and P17,648,518 for the period covering March 16 to May 31, 2021.
Rama, in a phone interview, said these are possible grounds for the termination of the contract with DOCAST.
“Yes, definitely. Kana lang daan wa mo-comply sa mga requirements diha sa atoang terms of reference… That should really be seriously attended to,” said Rama.
Meanwhile, the Cebu City Council will hold another special session today to tackle the state of garbage disposal in the city, this time, with resource speakers from DOCAST, DPS, and other offices in charge, such as the city budget and accountant offices.
Rama said he will find time to be there to observe, and if given the opportunity to speak, he will also air his sentiment on the matter. — KQD (FREEMAN)