BY MAE SINGUAY
BACOLOD City — Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) will hold a special session today, December 29, at 11 a.m. at the SP Session Hall of the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) to deliberate on an urgent request from Mayor Greg Gasataya regarding the city’s waste management contracts.
The mayor is seeking authority from the city council to sign two service contracts essential to the continued delivery of Bacolod’s waste management operations for Calendar Year 2026.
The request comes as the existing contract of IPM–Construction and Development Corporation (IPM-CDC), the city’s current environmental and sanitary services provider, is set to expire on December 31, 2025. To prevent any disruption in garbage collection and related services, the city government initiated the procurement process ahead of time.
On December 18, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) conducted the bid opening and evaluation, with two companies participating. BAC Chair Atty. Hermilo Pao-yon said IPM-CDC again joined the bidding and submitted the lowest calculated bid of more than P316 million, lower than the more than P327 million bid submitted by International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialist.
On December 26, Acting Vice Mayor Atty. Caesar Z. Distrito issued Memorandum No. 23-2025 informing all city council members of the special session. The memorandum cited Section 52(b) of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, which allows the holding of a special session when public interest so demands.
“The session is called to consider and act upon the urgent request of Mayor Gasataya for authority to sign the following contracts of service to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential waste management services,” the memorandum stated.
The proposed contracts include environmental and sanitary services for the collection, hauling, and disposal of garbage, with an approved budget for the contract (ABC) of P330 million, as well as the management, operation, and maintenance of the Bacolod City Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Felisa, with an ABC of P110 million.
City officials said the timely approval of the contracts is crucial to ensure the continuity of garbage collection, proper waste disposal, and efficient landfill operations as Bacolod transitions into Calendar Year 2026.
The special session underscores the city government’s efforts to prevent service disruption and to safeguard public health, sanitation, and environmental protection for Bacolod residents./PN
