BACOLOD City — The city government is set to engage a new private contractor for its environmental and sanitary services after the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved Mayor Greg Gasataya’s request for authority to sign separate contracts for Bacolod’s solid waste management program during a special session on December 29.
Pending the issuance of a Notice of Award, Mayor Gasataya will formalize agreements with a consortium composed of International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists Inc. (ISWIM), D.C. Sandil Construction and Realty Development Inc., and San Igmedio Builders Inc.
The approved contracts cover two major components of the city’s environmental and sanitary services: a P327.9-million contract for the hauling, collection, and disposal of garbage, and a P109,000,800 contract for the operation and maintenance of the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa.
Both contracts will cover the period from January to December 2026.
Mayor Gasataya said the approval was urgent and necessary to ensure uninterrupted garbage collection and to sustain the city’s cleanliness and environmental protection programs.
“This is crucial to ensure continuity of services and to protect public health and the environment,” the mayor said.
City councilors also expressed optimism that the new contractor will improve service delivery. Councilors Caesar Distrito and Celia Flor cited the consortium’s commitment to deploy 60 new garbage trucks and compactors as a major upgrade.
“We expect a total clean-up and a more responsive contractor, especially in addressing the clamor brought about by issues with the previous service provider,” Distrito said.
Flor echoed the sentiment, saying the public deserves better solid waste management services. “We want better services because the people of Bacolod deserve better,” she said.
Records show that pre-procurement activities by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) began on November 24.
IPM–Construction and Development Corp. (IPM–CDC), which initially emerged as the lowest calculated bidder for the collection and disposal component, was later disqualified following post-qualification proceedings on December 19.
According to the BAC, IPM–CDC allegedly refused to undergo post-qualification evaluation and failed to sufficiently refute the committee’s findings, including deficiencies in the submission of documents such as proof of ownership of hauling equipment.
As a result, the BAC recommended the awarding of the contract to ISWIM, the second lowest bidder, on December 26.
IPM–CDC is the city’s existing contractor for solid waste management services, with its contract set to expire on December 31.
Meanwhile, Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office Officer-in-Charge Atty. Allyn Luv Dignadice expressed optimism over the consortium’s plan to operate a new transfer station in Barangay Cabug, which is expected to reduce downtime and improve the efficiency of garbage collection and disposal.
“We look forward to more efficient services, given the private contractor’s track record as a reliable solid waste management service provider in the country,” Dignadice said.
ISWIM, a Manila-based firm, currently serves 17 local government units nationwide and operates several sanitary landfills in Luzon./PN
