BACOLOD City – The city government is preparing to begin the procurement process for Cell No. 5 at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa here to address the growing waste disposal needs of the city.
Councilor Homer Bais, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on environment and ecology, said the exact schedule for the bidding process has yet to be determined.
In a meeting with the Local Solid Waste Management Board last week, Bais said the City Budget Office confirmed that funding has already been identified for the project.
“As far as the Budget Office is concerned, they know that Cell No. 5 is now a necessity because Cell No. 4 is expected to be full by the end of this year or by January next year,” he said.
The construction of Cell No. 5 will require an allocation of P70 million to P80 million.
Meanwhile, Mayor Greg Gasataya convened a coordination meeting last week with barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, city departments, and concerned agencies to strengthen strategies in addressing Bacolod’s solid waste problem.
Gasataya stressed the impact of siltation and garbage accumulation in waterways, which he said has significantly contributed to flooding in the city.
He cited recent cleanup efforts at Banago River in Barangay Banago, Mambuloc Creek, and Barangay Bata, where some 60 tonnes of garbage were collected as of August 15.
“Please help us. Join us. The city cannot do this alone,” the mayor appealed, reiterating his support for barangay-level waste management initiatives.
During the meeting, barangay officials raised concerns over delays in the liquidation of their solid waste management funds, which have affected the release of their garbage fee shares.
In response, Gasataya, together with the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), presented a revised waste collection route plan to be implemented through the city’s private contractor. The plan seeks to improve efficiency and coverage of waste collection in barangays.
“They have a bigger responsibility, which is why our approach is to assess whatever challenges they face and help them, so that after the city’s assistance there will be no finger pointing,” Gasataya said.
The mayor also vowed continued support for barangays in enforcing the Anti-Littering Ordinance and in minimizing residual waste.
Christian Nagaynay, director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Bacolod City also reminded barangay leaders of their duties in road-clearing operations and compliance with the Kalinisan Program, which aims to strengthen solid waste management at the community level./PN
