CEBU City Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has ordered immediate measures to address issues at the Binaliw landfill following his inspection on Friday, September 20.

Joined by councilors and department heads, Garcia visited the site, which has drawn numerous complaints from nearby residents over foul odors and environmental hazards.

He identified the incomplete Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at the landfill as a major contributor to operational inefficiencies, odor problems, and water runoff during heavy rains.

He instructed Prime Waste Solutions Inc. (PWS), the company managing the landfill, to submit a comprehensive report within one week, detailing all short, medium, and long-term plans to mitigate these issues.

Residents of Barangay Binaliw, particularly those from the Sta. Ana Homeowners Association, have long voiced their concerns about the landfill's impact on their quality of life.

Earlier this month, 156 residents submitted a petition to the city government, urging immediate action to address the unbearable stench, as well as concerns over flies and potential groundwater contamination.

In response, Garcia ordered the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) to investigate potential violations at the landfill.

In a statement, PWS explained that the strong odors were primarily due to garbage truck operations and the handling of unsegregated waste.

To temporarily manage the problem, the company has been spraying chemicals and covering the waste with soil.

However, Garcia deemed these measures insufficient, stating that only the completion of the MRF would resolve the underlying issues.

The automated MRF, launched by PWS in March 2024, was designed to improve waste segregation and reduce pollution.

However, delays in fully operationalizing the facility have forced the company to rely on temporary fixes, exacerbating the odor problem.

The Binaliw landfill has been flagged for violations under Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Binaliw Landfill
• #Raymond Garcia
• #Materials Recovery Facility
• #Prime Waste Solutions Inc.
• #Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office
• #Garbage
• #Trash