Barangay trucks are finding it difficult to travel from Cebu City to a private landfill in Consolacion town to dispose of their garbage on a regular basis. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Not long after Cebu City closed its Inayawan landfill site in mid-January, enterprising groups have offered to collect garbage from business establishments, schools and hotels for higher fees.
In yesterday’s Cebu City Council session, Councilor Gerardo Carillo said in a privilege speech that he received complaints from establisments and schools that some groups claim to be authorized by the Cebu city government to collect garbage for a fee.
“They complained that there are people presenting themselves to collect the trash purportedly with the city’s approval. This is a misrepresentation because the city hasn’t authorized them,” Carillo said.
Councilor Margot Osmeña said she received a complaint from Capitol Site barangay chairman Manuel Guanzon that a group called Paglaum Basureros is collecting a P6,000 fee from each business establishment in their barangay in order to collect their garbage.
Councilor Nida Cabrera said Francisco Paragas, who sits in the city’s Solid Waste Management Board, is the group’s managing director, posing a potential conflict of interest.
A letter by Paragas to Adelfa Hotel Manager Clark Ong showed that the group started transporting residual wastes since January 9 to a private facility in Consolacion town.
Every trip to the landfill costs them P2,000 which covers P500 for the driver, P1,000 for gasoline and P500 for two helpers.
“In this regard, we would like to seek your help to shoulder part of the expenses as follows: P400 cost per pick up (P2,000 daily trip shared by five establishments) times 15 pick up in a month equals P6,000 monthly share,” Paragas said in his letter.
He asked that check payments be addressed to Paglaum Basureros to be collected every 5th of the month.
STRUGGLE
Carillo said some barangay officials complain of uncollected garbage in the city.
He said the barangays were not prepared for the total closure of the Inayawan landfill . They struggle with garbage collection and disposal trips to Consolacion which are limited.
“It’s a state of emergency for the garbage in the city. Let’s get our act together regardless of political color before the city becomes a huge garbage bin,” Carillo said.
With the closure of the Inayawan landfill, barangay trucks dispose of garbage in a private landfill in Consolacion town, located 12.5 kilometers from Cebu City.
Due to the long line and waiting time, some barangay trucks can only make a few trips a day.
In 2013, the City Council reminded the Paglaum Basureros not to collect a P750 fee charged for seminars they conduct that supposedly helps business permit applicants comply with a requirement for an environment sustainability action plan.
In a letter of introduction to Ong, the Paglaum Basureros described itself as a a people’s organization under the guidance of Sr. Sandra G. Clemente, RSCJ.
It has its office in 810, MJ Cuenco Avenue, sitio Lupa, Sapangdaku, Cebu City.
It is a community based labor intensive project that provides livelihood to its 100 indigent Cebu City residents who segregate wastes of every local partner and has been in operation for three years.
State of emergency
The council invited Paragas and other government agencies involved in the city’s garbage collection to discuss the city’s garbage problem on February 20.
After the executive session, the council will form a special committee to work with the executive department on the garbage problem.
Related Stories:
City Hall firm in closing down Inayawan landfill
Long road, long wait in Consolacion landfill