The Bacolod City Council ratified the contract of services entered into between the City Government and IPM-Construction and Development Corp. (IPM-CDC) for the P148.5 million collection, hauling and disposal of garbage.

It was ratified during the regular session on Wednesday, March 21.

Those who voted in favor of the contract were Councilors Caesar Distrito, Dindo Ramos, Cindy Rojas, Bartolome Orola, Em Ang, Renecito Novero, Elmer Sy, Sonya Verdeflor, Ann Marie Palermo, Noli Villarosa, and Wilson Gamboa Jr.

Councilor Ricardo Tan opposed the move while Councilor Claudio Puentevella was out of the session hall.

Tan said the P148.5 million for collection, hauling and disposal of garbage for nine months is excessive.

“This is a clear absence of thorough monitoring by the City Government about the actual performance of the IPM-CDC, and the contract is so unfair and disadvantageous to the City Government,” he said.

The three-month extension of the contract of IPM-CDC will end this month, and its new contract will start on April to December this year.

At present, the City Government is paying P14.858 million per month for garbage hauling and collection services.

This is separate from the existing contract of the IPM-CDC for the environment and sanitary services.