IT IS the job of the barangays to collect their garbage, and filing a complaint over this concern is a “cheap shot.”
This is what Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella had to say after Inayawan Barangay Captain Kirk Bryan Repollo filed a complaint against him and Department of Public Services (DPS) head John Jigo Dacua over the problem of uncollected garbage in Inayawan.
Labella said it is the responsibility of the village chiefs to act on the obligations mandated under the Section 10 of the Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, while the City Government will only provide assistance.
Labella said, “My first comment, it coming from a lawyer, I consider it a cheap shot, a very cheap shot because it came from a lawyer.”
Repollo responded, “As a lawyer, I abide by the rule of law. Seeking refuge to tribunals by filing a case is upholding and respecting the rule of law. By his comments, somewhat it goes without saying that resorting to the Office of the Ombudsman is a cheap one.”
Repollo filed his complaint before the Ombudsman on Jan. 7, 2021 for the alleged failure of Labella and Dacua to implement some provisions under the RA 9003 and the General Welfare clause under the RA 7160 or the Local Government Code.
Labella said, “Because barangays are not supposed to file a complaint for collection of garbage because they are the ones who are primarily responsible for that in the Solid Waste Management Act.”
Repollo said that under the same law, it mandates the City’s responsibility to provide “adequate facility” for the disposal of the collected garbage, which the present administration has failed to do following the expiration of the contract between the City and the private hauler managing the transfer station in Inayawan.
Repollo said earlier that the contract between the City and the operator of the transfer station was terminated in December 2020.
The expiration of the contract forced Brgy. Inayawan to dispose of its garbage in Brgy. Binaliw, he said.
Asked why the contract was terminated and why it was not extended, Labella said he has to ask Dacua on the matter.
Reporters tried to reach Dacua a number of times, but to no avail.
Labella referred Repollo’s concern to the City Legal Office.