BACOLOD City — City officials here conducted a site inspection of the Bacolod Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Felisa on Tuesday, January 13, to ensure the facility’s safety, efficiency, and compliance with operational standards following a recent landfill incident in Cebu.
The inspection was led by Mayor Greg Gasataya, together with City Administrator Atty. Mark Mayo, Councilors Jude Thaddeus Sayson and Homer Bais, and representatives from the City Engineer’s Office (CEO), Office of the Building Official (OBO), and the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO).
The landfill is currently being maintained by a new contractor, International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists Inc. (I-SWIMS), after the city awarded a contract effective January 1 to December 31, 2026, in the amount of P109,000,800 for the operation and maintenance of the facility.
The same contractor is also responsible for the hauling, collection, and disposal of garbage under a separate contract worth P327.9 million for the same period. In addition, I-SWIMS is tasked with the construction of Cell No. 5 of the sanitary landfill, a project valued at P65 million.
In a media interview, Gasataya said the inspection was conducted to ensure that incidents similar to what happened at a landfill in Cebu would not occur in Bacolod.
He noted that the landfill is complying with essential engineering measures, including proper waste compaction, application of volcanic soil cover, sloping, and benching, all of which are crucial in maintaining the site’s structural integrity and safety.
One of the key improvements observed during the first two weeks of I-SWIMS’ operations was the clearing and systematic organization of designated areas for dump trucks and heavy equipment. According to the mayor, this has significantly sped up dumping operations and allowed garbage trucks to return more quickly to their collection routes, improving overall efficiency.
This improvement was largely attributed to the implementation of a two-way access road at the landfill, which previously allowed only one truck to pass at a time because of limited road space.
Gasataya also emphasized that public health and sanitation remain a priority at the facility, citing the regular spraying of deodorizer and sanitizer to minimize health risks and environmental impact.
City officials likewise inspected the area where Cell No. 5 will be constructed, with a target completion period of six months. The mayor expressed hope that construction, which is expected to start this month, will be completed ahead of schedule as Cell No. 4 is already nearing full capacity.
Once completed, Cell No. 5 is expected to enhance the landfill’s capacity and improve the efficiency of garbage collection and waste disposal operations.
Gasataya reaffirmed the city government’s commitment to strengthening Bacolod’s solid waste management program and assured the public that measures are being taken to address existing backlogs.
“With everyone’s cooperation and discipline, we will continue working toward a cleaner and greener Bacolod City,” the mayor said.
The officials also inspected the Bacolod Integrated Recycling and Technology Hub and Eco-Park (BIRRTH), located within the nearly 30-hectare landfill site.
Gasataya said there has been no progress in the construction of the BIRRTH facility due to the absence of an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The project was initiated during the administration of former mayor and now Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
The mayor said he hopes to meet with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to obtain a timetable for the issuance of the ECC so that construction of the BIRRTH facility can finally begin./PN
