Archival on CDO vs Srp dumpsite: Closure order not yet served

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival maintains that his office has not yet been formally served with a cease-and-desist order (CDO) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Region 7, despite the agency’s confirmation that it issued the order on June 7 directing Cebu City government to stop using South Road Properties (SRP) as a garbage transfer station.

“Ang CDO, wala pa gyud ko kadawat, naa lang ko nakit-an sa mga post but ang akong respond ani, gitagaan kuno ta og 90 days,” Archival said.

Although no CDO has been formally served, Archival vowed the city would comply ahead of the deadline set by the DENR. He added that clearing operations are already underway.

Earlier, DENR-EMB disclosed that Cebu City had no permit to operate the SRP facility and cited violations of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. A technical conference was called by the EMB-7 where a representative from the city government attended and was told of the violation.

It was not immediately known who from the city attended the technical conference since the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) also told The Freeman that it had not received a copy of the CDO.

The controversy comes amid Cebu City’s long-standing waste management challenges. The city generates approximately 700 tons of garbage daily, placing significant pressure on both disposal facilities and the local government’s finances.

Earlier this year, DENR rejected the city’s application to use the SRP site as a transfer station. Despite the denial, barangays continued hauling garbage to the area, with a private contractor transporting the waste to Aloguinsan at a cost of ?6,000 per ton, or roughly ?4.2 million per day.

Archival acknowledged that the arrangement significantly increased the city’s expenses, noting that disposal at the Binaliw facility would have been considerably less costly.

The city’s reliance on temporary transfer stations has likewise drawn complaints from nearby residents over foul odors and potential environmental hazards.

In March, Archival ordered the clearing of garbage at the SRP site. However, after the city’s contract with Aloguinsan expired in May, waste again accumulated in the area.

Following calls from members of the City Council, Archival committed to clearing the site within 15 to 30 days. That target was not met, and subsequent inspections by DENR personnel reportedly uncovered violations that led to the issuance of the CDO.

Despite this, Archival continues to insist that no official copy of the order has reached his office.

Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Environment, said the 60 to 90-day compliance period provided by DENR effectively gives the city additional time to address the problem.

DENR-7, while issuing both a notice of violation and the cease-and-desist order, has not filed a case against Cebu City and has acknowledged the difficulties faced by the local government in managing its waste disposal requirements.

The collapse of the Binaliw landfill earlier this year further exposed the vulnerabilities of Cebu City’s waste management system, forcing officials to seek alternative disposal arrangements.

Despite the setbacks, Archival said the city continues to pursue reforms, including the implementation of a “no-touch ground policy” aimed at minimizing odor and improving waste handling. However, the policy’s implementation remains uncertain in light of the restrictions imposed by DENR.

“We are trying the best we can nga madiretso na sa kung asa nato mahatag ang atong garbage,” he said, stressing that the city is working toward eliminating the need for transfer stations altogether.

Last Thursday, Cebu City also received eight composting shredders from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) under the National Rice Program. The equipment has been installed at the eco-station in SRP and will be used to convert biodegradable waste into organic compost for agricultural use.

Archival likewise met with business leaders to discuss collaborative solutions to the city’s waste concerns and opened the eco-station to interfaith groups to encourage community participation in waste segregation efforts.

The city aims to reduce its daily garbage volume by at least 50 tons before the end of the year through expanded recycling initiatives and partnerships with private sector stakeholders.

As costs continue to rise and regulatory requirements become more stringent, Cebu City faces mounting pressure to establish sustainable waste management systems that reduce dependence on landfills and improve operational efficiency.

“We are working on it. Dili na kaabot og 90 days. Sa atong pagtan-aw, ma-clear na gyud na,” Archival stressed. (CEBU NEWS)