THE City Council of Bacolod approved the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia for authority to sign the P148.5 million contract between the city government and current garbage hauler IPM-Construction and Development Corporation (IPM-CDC) for collection, hauling and disposal of garbage and solid waste management.

Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairman of the SP committee on laws, said the mayor's request was approved during the regular session yesterday.

The request was supported by the nine votes cast by Councilors Distrito, Renecito Novero, Em Ang, Cindy Rojas, Elmer Sy, Dindo Ramos, Bartolome Orola, Ann Marie Palermo and Noli Villarosa.

Councilor Ricardo Tan voted against it while Councilors Claudio Puentevella, Sonya Verdeflor, and Wilson Gamboa were out of the session hall.

The three-month extension contract of IPM-CDC will end this month, and its new contract for garbage hauling and collection services 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.

The P148.5 million for collection, hauling and disposal of garbage is separate from the existing contract of the IPM-CDC for the environment and sanitary services.

After the signing of the contract, a copy will be submitted to the SP again for its ratification.

Last week, the IPM-CDC also joined the pre-bidding conference for the P71-million environment and sanitary services or operation and management of landfill in Barangay Felisa.

The bidding will be on March 20 at the Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat office at the Government Center.