Trash is ‘big business opportunity’

LOOK at Cebu City’s offer to pay for use of Talisay’s landfill as a “big business opportunity.”

This was the advice of Jade Ponce, chairman of Cebu City’s  Solid Waste Management Board, to Talisay City officials amid a debate over whether to open the facility to   Cebu city.

“The amount that Cebu City pays to a private company for dumping garbage would be better spent if it goes to another LGU (local government unit) like Talisay. The revenue from Cebu City could help Talisay  improve the landfill, launch much needed infrastructure projects, road and drainage improvements and social services,” he said.

Cebu City currently pays P700 per ton of garbage brought to the Consolacion landfill in north Cebu.

Cebu City produces  450 tons of trash a day and pays  a tipping fee of P315,000 daily or  P9.45 million a month.  The land is privately owned.

He said that while  Cebu City is still  negotiating with Talisay City to lower the tipping fee to  P400 per ton, the revenue from the setup would still  be substantial.

“It’s still early in the discussion, too soon for anyone to make a decision. Whatever may be agreed upon will always reach the council, eventually,” he said.

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