CPA still searching for firm to dispose of rotten meat

The Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) is still looking for a company capable of disposing the rotten meat at the Cebu International Ports (CIP).

“We are waiting for a waste disposal plan to be submitted by one of the waste disposal service providers that responded to our inquiry to see if they are capable of disposing said rotten meat in accordance with all applicable laws,” CPA environmental division manager Edmund Leopoldo said.

There are three container vans of rotten meat at the CIP mostly ordered from Europe.

BOC collector Rico Rey Francis Holganza said the consignees of the meat expected to sell them easily in the local market, only to see that their is low demand for them.

The exact weight of the rotten meat still has to be identified through weigh bridge before disposal.

Leopoldo said these container vans have been in the CIP since last year.

Complaints of foul odor were raised by stakeholders. “These are refrigerated vans. The ice used to preserve the meat caused the foul odor,” he said.

Last week, chemicals were sprayed inside the van to control the smell.

They also need a certification from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) stating how they will dispose of the meat.

The spraying of chemicals was witnessed by an inter-agency committee composed of CPA, Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. (OPASCOR), Customs Police, Bureau of Customs (BOC) and City Health Department.

Leopoldo said the spraying of the chemicals will be done every after three days. “Spraying of chemicals is expensive.

Each container cost is P40,000,” he said.

They also need a certification from the EMB which will determine the classification of its disposal.

“It can be disposed in a sanitary landfill or a material recovery facility,” Leopoldo said.