Capitol garbage facility in Carmen hits snag

CEBU, Philippines - It’s been two years since the Provincial Government bought the land in Carmen for the proposed common Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility for the northern towns, but some concerns have delayed the project.

Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda admitted that the lot in Barangay Dawis Sur in Carmen town was purchased in 2007 yet but the project was not implemented until now because of some issues.

This provincial project was proposed after some sectors threatened to sue local government units for not implementing Republic Act No. 9003 or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.” Some towns, whose dumpsites were supposed to be ordered closed because of this national legislation, have complained that they don’t have enough money to build a new facility to comply with the new law.

According to Sepulveda, the design that was submitted for this common facility for towns was more of a sanitary landfill. Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Sepulveda said, did not agree with the design and plans.

Also, the Capitol has received various offers for the establishment of this kind of facility, which will include a recycling plant. Others have also made proposals to address the garbage disposal in the island.

 All these, according to Sepulveda, need to be studied further.

However, he assured that the Provincial Government considers this as one of the priority projects under Gov. Garcia’s administration.

Earlier, Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. questioned the governor’s purchase of the P7.5-million lot in Carmen for this solid waste management facility. Sanchez said the lot purchase was unauthorized, but he was not able to show documents to prove his claim.

On the other hand, Sepulveda showed reporters copies of Resolution No. 5321-2006, authorizing Gov. Garcia to “execute and sign in behalf of the Province of Cebu, the agreement and deed of absolute sale involving six adjoining parcels of land located at Carmen, Cebu purchased by the Province of Cebu from Ramon D. Durano Jr., as site of the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility.”

Sanchez was presiding officer during that session and he even signed the resolution, Sepulveda stressed. — THE FREEMAN