City resumes garbage hauling to Aloguinsan

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government has resumed garbage hauling operations to Aloguinsan, with Mayor Nestor Archival saying the move could clear the South Road Properties (SRP) of accumulated waste within the next 15 to 30 days.

However, Councilor Joel Garganera, chairperson of the Cebu City Council’s committee on environment, insisted that the measure is only a temporary solution that fails to address the city’s long-term waste management crisis.

Archival told reporters on Monday that hauling operations to Aloguinsan resumed, emphasizing that the garbage stockpile at SRP would be removed aggressively rather than gradually.

“We might probably complete that within the next 15–30 days. Pero ang kana man gung nabutang dira more or less 15 days,” he said.

Garbage piles have accumulated at SRP since May 11, triggering complaints from residents and members of the City Council.

The mayor explained that the city is still awaiting the final report on the Binaliw landfill before deciding whether hauling operations can return there, citing safety concerns following the trash slide earlier this year.

“Yes, that’s correct, karong adlawa mag hatag sila sa ilang report kung unsay ilang resulta, but for the meantime tungod kay we need now to bring this garbage out from the city, nag sugod na ang Aloguinsan,” Archival said.

He clarified that disposal fees in Aloguinsan are charged per volume rather than per day, although he admitted he was uncertain whether the rates had changed from the previous contract. He also declined to disclose the volume specified in the latest agreement.

Archival added that Prime Integrated Waste Solutions (PWS) earlier shouldered expenses following the Binaliw trash slide, with reports indicating that nearly P20 million was spent for hauling operations in Consolacion. He said this formed part of the company’s responsibility after meetings with city and national government agencies.

Last week, the City Council passed a resolution urging Archival to submit within 30 days a transition plan to stop using SRP as a dumpsite, citing environmental risks and mounting fiscal strain.

Councilors warned that the garbage piles at SRP were already encroaching on mangrove areas, raising concerns similar to those that led to the closure of the Inayawan landfill.

In an interview with The Freeman, Garganera stressed that the council’s request for a long-term plan remains in effect.

“Of course, the one in Aloguinsan is a band-aid solution, it’s not sustainable. We still have to hear from the mayor, how are we going to navigate this crisis. If we don’t have the necessary SWM (solid waste management) infrastructure, we cannot honestly say that we are safe or we have addressed the problem. As it is now, his solution is still an open dumpsite,” Garganera said.

He emphasized the need for Cebu City to establish a proper solid waste management system.

Meanwhile, Archival welcomed the approval of a P360-million loan from Landbank intended for the proposed waste management facility at the North Reclamation Area.

He underscored Cebu City’s strong credit standing, noting that the local government has no outstanding debt and continues to enjoy favorable lending terms.

“Kung unsay sakto ug angay nga atong himuon, I’ll support that. Regarding sa loan, ang Landbank, I’m sure mo hatag gyud na nato kay kita man usa sa LGU na wala gyuy utang,” he said.

Asked about Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s pledge to resolve the garbage problem within 30 days, Archival expressed support for the initiative but deferred responsibility.

“Siya na lang siguro ang pangutan-a ana, kay sa ako lang I’m supporting that,” he said, adding that coordination efforts remain ongoing.

Cebu City has struggled with garbage disposal since the closure of the Inayawan landfill in 2016, forcing the city to depend on the Binaliw landfill.

Following the Binaliw trash slide last January, hauling operations were redirected to Consolacion and later to Aloguinsan, where disposal costs reportedly reached P3,906 per ton compared to only P1,100 per ton in Binaliw.

SRP’s Pond A, which was originally intended only as a temporary transfer station, has repeatedly turned into a makeshift dumpsite, drawing criticism from environmental groups and city councilors.

The City Council’s latest resolution reflects growing frustration over the lack of a comprehensive long-term solid waste management roadmap.

While Archival has promised short-term relief by clearing the garbage buildup at SRP within two weeks, Garganera maintained that without proper waste management infrastructure, Cebu City remains vulnerable to recurring garbage crisis. —  Katherine Espina and Michaela G.Tabar, CNU interns/FPL (FREEMAN)