Barangay official calls for surprise inspection of landfill

CEBU, Philippines — A councilman of Barangay Polog, Consolacion has called on the Environmental Management Bureau-7 (EMB-7) to conduct a "surprise inspection" of the Polog landfill due to the foul odor and pollution emanating from the facility.

Residents of Barangay Polog, Consolacion have continuously complained about the alleged odor and pollution caused by the landfill managed by Asian Energy Systems Corp. (AEC), prompting Councilman Lurimarc Alin of Barangay Polog to call for a surprise site visit inspection to check if it complies with regulations.

“Ang panawagan ko lang sa EMB na talagang kapag ganyan ang transaksyon mahigpit nilang tsine-check. Ang gusto ko lang mangyari, magkaroon ng ano, magkaroon ng inspeksyon, kung saan pa eh surprise. Surprise site visit inspection, ‘yung talagang lahat ng mga requirements ng EMB," Alin said.

"Maganda talaga na magkaroon sila ng surprise inspection. Hindi nila ipaalam… na may nag-inspeksyon para alam natin kung gumawa ba sila ng tama or nasusunod pa rin ba ‘yung batas,” he added.

In a radio interview, Alin mentioned that barangay officials have yet to confirm whether the EMB has conducted an inspection of the landfill despite numerous complaints published online. While waiting for EMB's action, they continue to monitor and take measures to mitigate the landfill's impact on their barangay.

In early 2024, residents called for the landfill's closure due to alleged foul odor, pollution, water contamination, and health hazards it posed to their community. Additionally, garbage truck drivers have difficulty accessing the landfill due to poor road conditions.

A whistleblower previously alleged that the landfill's waste management system was inadequate and highlighted the dangers faced by workers and residents near the landfill.

On May 7, 2019, the landfill was ordered to cease operations under a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) issued by EMB-7 after it was found that the management failed to implement an Environmental Management Plan (EMP), resulting in a landslide on May 4, 2019.

However, on August 9 of the same year, the CDO was lifted after AEC completed the facility's rehabilitation. — Banat News (FREEMAN)