Garcia orders probe into Binaliw stench

CEBU, Philippines — Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has ordered the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources (CCENRO) to conduct a formal investigation into the alleged foul smell emitted from the Binaliw landfill.

Garcia has given CCENRO chief Reymar Hijara three days to look into the complaints from the residents and come up with a recommendation.

As promised, the acting mayor visited the landfill yesterday to personally check the condition of the facility operated by the Prime Integrated Wastes Solutions Inc. (PWS). During his visit, Garcia received a petition signed by the members of Santa Ana Homeowners Association complaining against the stench from the landfill.

“But anyway, mutuo man gyud tas yangungo sa atong mga constituents samot na kay sila man gyud ang namuyo diri ba, I already received their petition and one of their concerns is ang baho sa PIWSI,” said Garcia.

Depending on the results of the investigation, Garcia said he will hold a dialogue between the residents and landfill operator.  Despite the numerous complaints, he admitted that he has yet to reach out to the officials of PWS.

“Mao lagi na, I have to know the problem first before I reach out to them,” said Garcia.

After three days, he said he might visit the facility again and sit down with the officials of PWS to discuss the problem.

Garcia said he will demand from the operator to remedy the problem. He said the residents nearby have been complaining about the stench from the facility even before PWS acquired it. The garbage facility was previously owned by ARN Central Waste Management Inc. (ACI).

As to the complaints that the operations of the landfill have also affected the water quality, Garcia said he will be coordinating with the Cebu City Health to initiate a water quality test.

“Naa ba gyuy bacteria ilang water quality, or naa ba juy contamination, that should be part of it,” said Garcia adding that this will be included in the three-day investigation he had ordered.

Pending this, Garcia admitted they cannot impose any action against PWS because it has all the required permits, including the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

“At this point of time, it is still premature to say what we will do,” he said.

Garcia said the city government also has an existing contract with PWS for the disposal of the city’s garbage.

Councilor Joel Garganera said the members of the Solid Waste Management Board also visited the facility. He said they have already come up with recommendations but CCENRO still have to make follow ups on issue.

Hijara admitted that getting inside the facility may be a challenge for them to begin the investigation. According to him, the previous CCENRO members said that they were having a hard time getting inside.

“Pero atong suwayan og tawag kay naa naman juy mando si acting mayor Garcia nga gi authorize ta pagsud didto,” he said.

He said the CCENRO also has a visitorial power to inspect the facility. — (FREEMAN)