Garganera likens Inayawan transfer station to a “dumpsite”

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera has likened the transfer station in Barangay Inayawan to a “dumpsite” because of the pile of uncollected garbage in the area.

Garganera, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Environment, joined Vice Mayor Michael Rama and the Environmental Management Bureau-7 during an inspection of the transfer station on Monday, July 5, 2021.

“On my end, from what I have witnessed yesterday (Monday), it was not a transfer station, it was a dumpsite… Kanang transfer station, 24 hours mahurot na nimo'ng basura, pero nganong ing'ana man na?” said Garganera.

He is worried that the pile of garbage in the area might cause untoward incidents.

“And, I must concur also with the observation of the barangay captain nga it is really hazard to the waste pickers kay mag-move ang mga backhoes, managan gud na sila. That is really an accident bound to happen in that area there,” he said.

Garganera said the private contractor managing the transfer station promised that they are going to clear the area.

“If the contractor promised that by this Saturday nga mahurot na diha, I doubt very much. I doubt. With the way things are doing right now, I doubt,” he said.

Garganera also said that the current system at the transfer station is “time consuming.”

“The way I look at it, ang linya sa mga garbage trucks nato in going there sa akong count gahapon reached 18 and then on the other side naglinya sad ang mga truck to get the garbage,” he explained.

Garganera hopes the EMB-7 will make a detailed report regarding the matter so everything will be guided accordingly. The councilor also expressed his concern on the report that the stench from the pile of garbage is now reaching the neighboring city of Talisay.

Inayawan barangay administrator Vince Monterde, who also visited the area Monday, said mounds of garbage remain at the transfer station, and the rains experienced these past few days had worsen the stench.

Garganera said the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) should focus on this to address the health and safety of the residents.

“They should do something ani. It's already being raised by the barangay captain, it's being raised already by people living around the area,” said Garganera.

The city’s private hauler is keeping the garbage at the transfer station longer than the usual after it was barred from dumping at the Binaliw landfill due to unsettled obligations.

The ARN landfill is demanding P18-million payment from DOCAST before it can be allowed to dump again. — FPL (FREEMAN)