Dumpsite at SRP?

CEBU, Philippines — The South Road Properties (SRP), long envisioned as Cebu City’s showcase for commerce, agriculture, and urban development, is now drawing concern as it becomes identified with garbage.

Two sites—the Pond A area and the Bagsakan center—are being used to temporarily store thousands of tons of waste, raising alarm among councilors, residents, and stakeholders who fear the area is sliding into a dumpsite rather than a hub of progress.

An aerial photo recently showed a massive pile of garbage dumped in a vacant lot near Pond A, just meters from the closed Inayawan landfill.

Locators and residents have complained of foul odor and waste spilling into water bodies, echoing past controversies and raising fears of another de facto dumpsite at SRP.

At the same time, the Bagsakan center—originally planned as a trading post for farmers—is being “repurposed” into a shredding area and materials recovery facility (MRF), further fueling public concern.

Mayor Nestor Archival, in a post on February 20, announced his inspection of the proposed shredding area at the Bagsakan site.

He said the move was part of efforts to plan and implement waste management measures properly amid the city’s mounting backlog.

Archival described the use of SRP as an emergency measure, but his announcement has sparked debate over whether the facility’s purpose has been diverted from its original intent.

The Bagsakan project was conceived in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), which allocated P14 million for a regional trading post at SRP.

Modeled after Dalaguete’s Mantalongon Trading Post, the Bagsakan was meant to empower farmers by allowing them to sell directly to buyers, eliminating middlemen and strengthening food security.

However, delays and permit issues stalled its completion, and the DA eventually demanded a refund from the city government for unutilized funds.

What was envisioned as a hub for agricultural empowerment now risks being remembered as a dumping ground.

Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, chair of the committee on agriculture, said he was not aware of the plan to use the Bagsakan for waste processing and expressed frustration that the council was not consulted.

He told The Freeman that the Bagsakan was supposed to be a lifeline for farmers, yet has been diverted into a shredding area without council approval.

“Supposedly dako kayo nag tabang sa mga mag-uuma, kay wala na untay middle men. Muderecho na lang diha, adto mamalit ang publiko. Kon iya ng e-convert into an MRF, mao nay problema niya…wala man na siya mananghid,” Alcover said.

Though still recuperating from surgery, Alcover emphasized that he remains engaged and has already received complaints from SRP residents about foul odor and dumping at Pond A, stressing that the problem is not hypothetical but already affecting communities.

He added that Archival’s refusal to consult the council shows a lack of direction.

“Ang iyang pagka gahig ulo ba…mukunsulta unta siya para mahan-ay unsay angay himuon. Temporary raba na, for emergency ra ba na?”Alcover said.

Councilor Joel Garganera likewise raised concerns, noting that 8,000 tons of segregated waste, according to the Department of Public Services (DPS) had already been placed near pond A of the SRP, with plans to haul it to Aloguinsan by March.

DPS head John Paul Gelasque told him that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is already aware of the temporary arrangement, granting leeway given the crisis.

Garganera, however, said he was not informed about intentions at the Bagsakan.

“Fresh produce bya ang muabot diha. I don’t think it’s a good idea,” he said, adding that foul odor and dumping into Pond A have already triggered complaints.

He warned that if not managed properly, the waste could affect nearby barangays like Pardo and Inayawan, as well as locators at SRP.

“Hinugtanan naman ta sa bakos ani,” he said, stressing that the city is running out of options.

Both councilors insist that consultation is critical, especially as the Bagsakan’s transformation and the pond A area risks undermining both agricultural support and environmental safeguards.

For Alcover, the matter is not only about waste but governance. “Maayo lang siya (Archival ) musulti…dili man na maoy purpose para ana,” he said.

Garganera echoed the frustration. “Wa gyud ko kasabot gyud…If MRF and open for all kinds of waste atong mashred diha, dili tingali maayo,” that if such will be used long-term and it’s original purpose for agriculture will be realized.

The city’s garbage crisis has been years in the making. The Inayawan landfill was shut down in 2016 after environmental violations, followed by the closure of Binaliw.

The latter’s collapse in January 2026 killed dozens, underscoring decades of policy failures and leaving Cebu scrambling for alternatives.

Since then, Cebu City has relied on temporary solutions—transfer stations, composting, and hauling contracts—that often blur the line between recovery and dumping.

Daily trash volumes, averaging 600 tons, have overwhelmed disposal capacity.

The issue is now set to be tackled in an executive session scheduled today, February 23.

Councilor Harry Eran earlier delivered a privilege speech on the worsening garbage problem, prompting the council to call for a comprehensive discussion with the Department of General Services.

Archival, in an interview, said he would find a way to attend, but the City Public Information Office clarified that the mayor is scheduled to be in Manila for an important engagement also today.

Aside from the executive session, there will also be a public hearing today on the proposed ordinance of Councilor David Tumulak, amending City Ordinance No. 2031 on solid waste segregation at source, penalties for violations, and the creation of a special fund for incentives.

The hearing is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. at the Doña Eva Macaraeg Macapagal Hall, 4th Floor Legislative Building, Cebu City Hall.

SRP was meant to symbolize Cebu’s aspirations for modern growth, commerce, and agricultural empowerment.

Its current state—marked by garbage piles at Pond A and the repurposing of the Bagsakan—now tests the city’s governance, planning, and accountability.

Whether Cebu can reconcile its waste crisis with its vision for SRP will determine if the property remains a showcase of progress or becomes another reminder of unfulfilled promises. — (FREEMAN)