Tom told: Show plan for Inayawan landfill

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the Office of the Mayor to submit a safe closure and rehabilitation plan for the Inayawan landfill for review and approval of the legislative body.

This was after all members of the council agreed to the motion of Councilor Joel Garganera, who delivered yesterday a privilege speech about the ongoing rehabilitation of the controversial landfill.

Garganera pushed for the submission of the rehab plan believing the council has the right to know of the ongoing activities related to the rehabilitation of the dumping facility which was closed by the Court of Appeals last December 15, 2016.

“Mr. Chair, these projects must be dealt with strict scrutiny coupled with the observance of due diligence in compliance with the decision of the court. If we do otherwise, the city might be held in contempt,” he told the council.

Since the landfill was shut down, the city government was directed to permanently stop using the dump and to rehabilitate the area.

Last September 7, Garganera received a copy of the entry of judgment the Supreme Court issued denying the petition for review on certiorari filed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña after the Court of Appeals ordered the closure of the facility.

Garganera’s counsel Joel Mangubat Seno said the entry of judgment made the SC ruling final and executory.

“Final na. The decision of the Court of Appeals was affirmed by the Supreme Court which decision was ordering the respondent mayor to permanently cease and desist katong pag-dump sa garbage sa Inayawan landfill,” Seno said.

Aside from the need of the council to know, Garganera also expressed alarm over the approved resolution of Councilor Jerry Guardo authorizing the mayor to enter into contract for the construction of at least three-hectare service area in the landfill.

The contract with Goldfin Construction and Development Corp.  is worth nearly P9.7 million.

Garganera said he wanted to know where the funds of the government and the people are actually going.

That is why, for him, it is important that the council be informed of the efforts of the executive department to ensure that the measures undertaken are effective and efficient.

“In fact, there was no Safe Closure and Rehabilitation Plan presented to the council, as well as the result of the pre-feasibility study conducted in the Inayawan landfill. How are we supposed to look into these projects if we are left in the dark room never knowing what's happening all around us?" Garganera said.

Garganera emphasized that he wanted to avoid irregular or questionable transactions.

“Mr. Chair, I have maintained and constantly upheld my stand on the importance of doing things not only in the right way but with transparency and accountability,” he said.

By the end of the month, Full Advantage Philippines Inc. is expected to finish their study on the landfill.

Full Advantage is the negotiated consultant of the city which assesses the current situation of the facility. Its goal is to come up with a comprehensive plan for rehabilitation.

It already started its study in April wherein they analyzed the waste depth, volume and extent of area covered, on-site waste characteristics, leachate generation and quality, groundwater and surface water quality, social aspect (wastepickers or informal sectors), gas emissions and air quality. — JMD (FREEMAN)