Conflicting narratives about Binaliw landfill

It is interesting to note several narratives about the Binaliw landfill.

Narrative 1 recently reported the so-called improvements introduced byPrime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PIWSI), the present operator of the Materials Recovery Facility and Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City.

Even while their statements noted the Binaliw residents’ complaints and continuing foul smell, respectively, Cebu City officials (Mayor Rama (and acting Vice Mayor Dondon Hontiveros) have expressed their confidence in the capability of the said company.

Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga also “lauded PIWSI for its vision during the January 2024 inauguration of the Cebu MRF, the first of its kind in the Philippines.”

This Binaliw MRF facility “is believed to be the first in the country that is capable of efficiently segregating, processing, storing, and recycling waste.”

The PIWSI has stated that since its 2022 acquisition of the Binaliw facility, “they have continued its transformation strategy in the operations of MRF with a strong focus on maximizing resource recovery.”

Certain hauling companies among PIWSI customers also share this narrative- the PIWSI initiated changes have resulted in benefits “not only to the company, but also to its customers and the environment as well.”

This first narrative has been questioned as gleaned from the following reactions and alternative narratives.

A second narrative focuses on the need for reliable data about the Binaliw Landfill.

“Hahay, ang regulator kay bystander nalang karon. Sobrang bilib sa "reputable company" the LGU forgets its role to enforce environmental laws and ensure compliance.

Okay lang ang foul smell because it's already in that state when the reputable company took over? Wow!

By the way, how many tons were diverted and instead recycled per day?

How many tons of organic wastes were processed per day instead of leaving it to decompose? No data.

Gipa-bilib ra ang public sa equipment procured from Europe and Asia.

City Hall remains star struck.”

“Inadequate info on the process involved on how garbage is reduced to 20 percent or less. Is there burning/thermal process involved?

Starting from the takeover of the Razon firm, what is the total volume processed and reduced to just 20 percent or less?

I ask this because the ECC has a component called thermal reduction unit.

Inside the facility in 2021, they were conducting trials to reduce volume thru burning.

This method isn't reported, nor emission tests shared.”

Another concerned citizen shared a video that showed “how Prime Waste in Binaliw bales 300 tons of waste daily” and this question:

“The problem is that they accept more than 1000 tons of waste daily. So what happens to the 700+ tons? Where do they go? Where are they dumped?”

Then, this third narrative from residents themselves.

A Binaliw resident shared a video taken just last Tuesday afternoon with this narration:

“Kahugaw sa tubig. Tubig intawon ni nga gikan sa basurahan.

Aguy, kahugaw na sa dan, grabe na gyud kaayo mi ba…

Nagpuyo man gani ta sa bukid para fresh air ta, unsa na man ta ini?

Fresh air pa ni? Perti na man gyud ning bahua. Kalain na ani.

Laina na gyud aning tubig sa among sapa. Perti na gyud ituma. Kani siya kay gikan ni sa basurahan. Mao ni ang duga nila. Kabaho oy. Grabe gyud kaayo, perti gyud bahu-a. Sapa pa ni? Dinhi ni siya sa Panoypoy, Consolacion.”

“wala dii nila gamita ilang leachate collection pond and wastewater treatment facility.”

Last week, this caption in a video shared on FB: “Water is the driving force of all nature. Apan kun ang imong tinubdan sa TUBIG ma apektohan na sa kahugaw sa basura sa PIWSI… Ania ang video sa usasa faucet sa diha sa sitio Manaw, Barangay Panoypoy lungsod sa Consolacion Cebu nga naapektohan na sa kahugaw.”

These videos for forwarding to EMB-7, according to DENR-7.