BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) is set to recommend the issuance of a Notice of Violation against the city’s garbage contractor, IPM Construction and Development Corporation (IPM-CDC), following delays and backlogs in garbage collection that lasted for nearly two weeks.
Ma. Fe Trespuentes, head of BENRO, said her office is currently compiling documentation and evidence to be submitted to the City Legal Office (CLO), which will serve as the basis for issuing the notice.
According to BENRO records, the backlog occurred during the first and second weeks of May, when the contractor collected only about 300 tons of garbage daily—well below the maximum 400 tons per day stipulated in their contract with the city government.
Based on the terms of reference in the contract between the contractor and the city government for the environmental and sanitary services, the city will be paying the contractor on volume basis, with a maximum volume of garbage of 400 tons per day.
However, from May 1 to 17, IPM-CDC reportedly failed to meet the required volume, consistently falling short of the expected collection targets.
During BENRO’s inquiry, IPM-CDC cited a lack of manpower as the primary reason for the delays. The company disclosed that 60 of its paleros (garbage loaders) had abruptly left in late April to work at a solar farm project in Barangay Felisa, which is currently under construction.
Additionally, the contractor pointed to the May 12 midterm elections as a contributing factor, saying their workers had to take time off to cast their votes.
Trespuentes said the backlog during that period led to multiple complaints from city residents about uncollected garbage. However, she noted that IPM-CDC’s operations have since normalized, and complaints have significantly decreased.
Trespuentes emphasized that while the situation has improved, the issuance of a Notice of Violation is necessary to remind the contractor of its obligations under the contract./PN
