BACOLOD City — The Bacolod City government has asked private developers to maintain the status quo on the hauling, transfer and disposal of waste extracted from a construction site at the former dumpsite along Buri Road in Barangay Mandalagan pending technical recommendations from the Environmental Management Bureau-Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR).
Mayor Greg Gasataya, in coordination with the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), met on August 13, 2026 with representatives of Ikthus Bacolod and JQua Construction, developers of the former dumpsite, to discuss measures for the proper handling and disposal of waste exposed during ongoing site development.
BENRO requested that the hauling, transfer and disposal of the extracted waste remain on hold while the city awaits further guidance from the EMB-NIR.
The bureau is scheduled to hold another technical conference with the concerned developers on August 18 to determine appropriate measures for the safe transfer and disposal of the waste.
Gasataya said the city is prepared to assist in clearing the accumulated waste but stressed that disposal must be carried out based on the EMB-NIR’s recommendations.
“This concern has been brought to my attention as early as October of last year,” Gasataya said, recalling that the lack of a clear disposal plan previously prompted the city to issue a stoppage order against another developer over alleged illegal dumping of extracted waste.
“At that time, we did not have a clear option because the city landfill was already at full capacity. This prompted us to establish Cell No. 5,” he added.
The mayor emphasized the need for the EMB-NIR to provide a clear disposal plan, including the proper methodology for hauling and transferring the extracted waste from the old dumpsite to an approved or recommended disposal facility.
“Our options are already there, but we are awaiting the recommendation from the EMB,” Gasataya said.
The issue has raised public health and environmental concerns as waste from the former dumpsite was exposed during development of the property, which is being eyed as an investment site.
Bert Tacardon, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ikthus Bacolod, welcomed the city’s intervention and efforts to facilitate the clearing of the waste.
“We are very thankful that everything is being put into place to hasten the clearing of the waste,” Tacardon said, adding that addressing the exposed waste is important not only for public health but also for the future development and investment potential of the property.
The latest meeting followed a technical conference spearheaded by the City Legal Office and BENRO on August 12.
During the conference, it was agreed that the EMB-NIR would conduct a series of technical discussions with private developers to determine the appropriate procedures for the safe transfer of the extracted waste before waste hazard testing is conducted at the site.
The EMB-NIR’s recommendations will subsequently be endorsed to the Solid Waste Management Board for approval and immediate implementation by the concerned stakeholders.
BENRO said implementation of the appropriate measures may take some time as the technical process is still ongoing, with another conference scheduled on August 18.
Gasataya, however, said the city intends to pursue a definite and immediate solution to the waste problem at the former dumpsite while ensuring that the handling and disposal of the extracted materials comply with environmental and safety requirements./PN
