CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued a cease and desist order on a private waste management facility in Barangay Inayawan following complaints of foul smell in the area.
Rama said in his Monday press conference on April 25, 2022, that he ordered an investigation on the reports of residents complaining of foul smell coming from the transfer station at White Road.
The Department of Public Service (DPS) has initially pointed at the 3,000 unhauled post-Odette garbage as the reason for the smell.
“Secondly, I have ordered today the issuance of a cease-and-desist order against Bio-Nutrient Waste Management, Inc. owned and operated by one Ema Ramas. Its composting operations have caused a foul smell in its surroundings in Inayawan.”
“This private facility does not serve the city but private clients. Upon investigation, our DPS determined that our transfer station nearby does not cause the unpleasant odor residents nearby have complained about,” said Rama.
The City Environment Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) issued a citation to the facility on Sunday, April 24, 2022, and only when they can comply with the city’s requests will they be able to operate again.
DPS head Lawyer John Jigo Dacua told CDN Digital that the composting facility was located near the transfer station, hence, the confusion of the source of the smell.
“Usually makaoperate silag balik if nacomply na pud nila ang requirements. So unless macomply nila, di pa gyod na sila ka operate,” he said.
CDN Digital has tried reaching out to the facility for comment and is still awaiting response as of this posting. The facility is listed as an eco-friendly composting facility serving private clients.
Rama did not specify the requirements he has imposed on the facility to comply in order for the cease-and-desist order to be lifted, but he wants the foul smell to stop and for the facility to review its operations.
The mayor has also instructed the Cebu City Health Department to ensure that the health of the affected residents in Barangay Inayawan will be checked.
Those who are feeling respiratory distress are encouraged to visit the health centers for check ups.
The mayor assured the residents that the smell will be reduced once the facility complied with the guidelines of the city and the government will provide assistance to the residents, if necessary.
/bmjo
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