SO the Cebu City Government can generate more income to fund its expenses, the Department of Public Services (DPS) suggested increasing the garbage fees.
City Ordinance 1361, which establishes a system of garbage collection in the city, imposes fees and appropriates funds for related purposes, was approved in the late 1990s yet.
During the budget hearing for the proposed P8.1 billion 2019 annual budget of the City last Nov. 7, DPS assistant head John Paul Gelasque said the City Council may want to consider updating the ordinance.
“There are big companies that pay fees that are not proportionate to the volume of garbage they produce,” he said.
The garbage fees depend on the lot area of the establishment and the nature of its business.
For example, an airline company with a 1,000-square-meter office will have to pay P8,000 for its trash, while a bakery that is less than 100 square meters will only pay P1,825.
“I suggest increasing the fees for big producers of garbage,” Gelasque said.
During the hearing, Councilor Sisinio Andales asked if amending the ordinance would help reduce the volume of trash generated.
“No, it will not. But it will lessen our financial burden,” Gelasque said.
The DPS collects an average of 700 tons of garbage a day.
The City pays the private service providers around P1,200 for every ton of garbage they collect and dispose of. The City also rents trucks for garbage collection.
From January to July 2018, the City already collected P72.2 million in garbage fees.
Councilor Margarita Osmeña, head of the committee on budget and finance, said that aside from the financial aspect, the reduction of garbage produced should be a top priority as well.
In a separate interview, City Treasurer Veronica Morelos said that while her office supports the suggestion, the DPS should be the one to propose the new rates. RTF