Metrowaste may start hauling garbage on March 16

METROWASTE Solidwaste Management Corporation, the contractor that won the bidding on the privatization of garbage collection in Bacolod City, may start its operation on March 16.

Department of Public Services (DPS) head Nelson Sedillo said once the ratified contract of Metrowaste is signed by Mayor Evelio Leonardia, a notice to proceed will then be issued by the chief executive.

He said that for now, there is a technical working committee chaired by Councilor Mona Dia Jardin, of which Sedillo is a member.

The committee is handling the preparation on the side of the city to assist Metrowaste.

The garbage collection will now be handled by the contractor and DPS will continue its function on street cleaning, monitoring and enforcement of laws on solidwaste management.

Metrowaste will hire 100 personnel to include the garbage collectors and drivers.

Those who worked with the DPS as garbage collectors will be absorbed by Metrowaste and those who cannot qualify will remain with the DPS to help in the monitoring and enforcement of the laws.

The city will still assign personnel at the dump site and sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa.

Metrowaste will have its own dump trucks and equipment.

The dump trucks of the city will be rehabilitated and distributed to departments and offices that need it.

The DPS will just maintain four to five dump trucks to respond to the needs.

The urban barangays such as Villamonte, Alijis, Sum-ag, Estefania, Banago, Bata, Mandalagan, and Taculing, among others, will continue to collect their own garbage. They are not included in the list of barangays that will be covered by Metrowaste's operation.