Radaza asks DENR to look into uncollected garbage inside MEPZ

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza yesterday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to look into the accumulating garbage on a vacant lot in barangay Ibo, which is within the territory of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).

"Kinahanglan maatiman na nila (DENR)," Radaza said, adding that Mactan Economic Zone dumps its garbage within its territory and that the city cannot inspect the dumpsite without PEZA's permission.

While the city hosts the economic zone, PEZA took the city to court over a jurisdictional matter.

In an interview with reporters, Radaza admitted that the residents in the area are already complaining about the untreated waste garbage.

PEZA previously wrote barangay Mactan, when Radaza was then the barangay captain, to inform that it was dumping its garbage in sitio Soong, where the city's dumpsite is located. But PEZA later stopped doing so.

"Nahibulong naman ko nganong midaghan na pud na ilang basura diha. The only remedy there is for the DENR to take action on that matter," Radaza said, adding that the dumpsite in the MEPZ area has no approval and authority from the city government.

The mayor said the city has already shut down its open dumpsite in sitio Soong, barangay Mactan after its P20-million Material Recovery Facility opened last year.

If MEPZ continues to dump its garbage, which is a violation of the Solid Waste Management Act, the city will be compelled to refer the matter to its legal department for the probable filing of case.

The conflict between the city and PEZA deepened when the city enforced a closure order on Marina Mall in 2007 for lack of a business permit. PEZA interceded and with its own police force, reopened the mall. (THE FREEMAN)