Binaliw landfill: Rama stands by PIWSI

CEBU, Philippines — Mayor Michael Rama has expressed his continued trust and confidence in Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PIWSI), operator of the Materials Recovery Facility and Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, despite complaints of alleged foul smell emitted from the facility.

Rama, who is serving a six-month preventive suspension, said that Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) herself graced the launching of the facility which signifies the environment agency’s approval of the technology the landfill is using.

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

According to Rama, PIWSI is not an “ordinary” corporation, emphasizing his full trust and confidence in the company and the latter’s capability to attend to the complaints coming from the residents.

“Because I also do not would wish the foul smell being described that create discomfort, will continue,” said Rama.

Rama said PIWS committed to continue what has been permitted and aspired to be a waste-to-energy facility when it acquired the 10.4-hectare landfill from ARN Central Waste Management Inc. And Rama said he believes the PIWSI’s commitment since it is not an ordinary company but a subsidiary of Enrique Razon Jr.’s Prime Infra.

“He (Razon), would definitely would be, and the rest of the management, would also be promoting excellence. They will continue to do it, so leave it to them because they will attend to it,” said Rama.

Rama believes that various interventions may have been done already by PIWS.

In a statement, PIWSI said it has implemented significant improvements since its acquisition of the facility in 2022. According to PIWSI, they have continued its transformation strategy in the operations of MRF with a strong focus on maximizing resource recovery.

The transformation has been, in fact, noticed by its customers.

“The shift has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Mary Jane Montejo, chief executive officer of Agalon Garbage Hauler, which has been disposing waste at the facility since 2020.

“It is evident how efficiency and productivity for waste diversion has been enhanced, not to mention the quality of the output as well. Because of this, lesser waste has been diverted to the landfill,” she said.

“Our company is looking forward to what new innovations and growth PIWSI will bring,” she added.

PWS Cebu uses equipment procured from Europe and Asia such as vibrating sieves, baler systems, magnetic separators, and an air density separator in processing up to 1,000 tons of received solid waste per day. By focusing on resource recovery, PWS aims to significantly limit landfill waste to 20 percent or less.

This approach leads to reduced organic waste ending up decomposing and producing harmful methane emissions.

Raquiel Montecillo, owner of Marquiel Trading and Hauling Services, said the transition from a landfill operations into an MRF had not hampered operations in any way, allowing the facility to operate 24/7.

“This showcased commendable integration of automated systems alongside existing processes. From improved throughput to enhanced quality control measures, it is evident that the additional waste processing equipment has greatly improved the waste diversion process as a whole,” she said.

Montecillo also cited the automated RFID system implemented by PIWSI, allowing efficient monitoring of dump trucks coming in and out of the facility, as well as the improved road network, allowing waste haulers better turnaround time for dispatch and scheduling.

“Overall, the changes initiated and completed by PIWSI have been beneficial not only to the company, but also to its customers and the environment as well,” she said.

Despite the daunting task of taking over a landfill and transforming it into a proper and modern waste facility, PIWSI is committed to fully rehabilitate the site, underscoring the importance of addressing severe solid waste problems through sustainable solutions.

Acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros said the foul smell emitted from the landfill has been there even before PIWSI acquired the landfill.

In fact, Hontiveros said he personally experienced the foul smell when late mayor Edgardo Labella was coming from the landfill in Binaliw during the funeral of the late Mayor Edgardo Labella on November 25, 2021.

Hontiveros, like Rama, also believes in the capability of PIWSI to address the problem being a “reputable company”. — (FREEMAN)