FIVE Cebu City barangays started operating their composting centers, which would allow the City Government to reduce at least 50 kilos of biodegradable garbage that will be thrown to the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill.
This, as Mayor Tomas Osmeña issued a memorandum yesterday, directing all barangays and department heads to strictly enforce the “no segregation, no collection” policy.
Former councilor Ma. Nida Cabrera said the composting centers are designed to process up to 500 kilos of biodegradable wastes.
These composting centers are located in Barangays T. Padilla, Kamagayan, Capitol Site, Luz and Cogon Pardo.
A ceremonial opening of the centers was held in Barangay T. Padilla yesterday.
Sardine exchange
Cabrera, who is now the consultant under the Office of the Mayor, said they plan to process a ton of garbage every day if they can open composting centers in at least 50 urban barangays by December.
She said they’ve also implemented the mayor’s program that encourages residents to deliver their waste directly to garbage trucks in exchange for sardines.
As to the “no segregation, no collection” policy, Osmeña said the policy will be strictly enforced, starting Sept. 28.
“Pursuant to Republic Act 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000) and City Ordinance 2031 (Solid Waste Segregation At Source), strict segregation at source is hereby imposed beginning Sept. 28, 2016,” he said in a memo.
Unsegregated garbage, Osmeña said, will not be collected. Those who are caught disposing of mixed wastes will be apprehended.
Barangay are also required, through their respective Barangay Solid Waste Management Committees, to prepare a waste diversion program that will reduce garbage at source by composting biodegradable waste and recycling non-biodegradable waste.
Complaints
By doing this, Osmeña said, the volume of garbage that will be brought to the landfill will be reduced.
In a related development, the Talisay City Government refused to cooperate with Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera’s plan to gather affidavits for the filing of a Writ of Kalikasan against Osmeña for reopening the Inayawan landfill.
In a press conference, Mayor Eduardo Gullas told reporters that if he receives a complaint about the foul smell coming from the landfill, he plans to resolve the matter without hassling Osmeña.
“Ayaw nalang ko iapil. Dili nalang ko musakay ana (Count me out. I want no part of it),” Gullas said.
He said Garganera should solve the matter without including Talisay City in his complaint.
In a separate interview, San Roque Barangay Captain Elzevier Abraham confirmed that residents in Sitios Dauis, Sawsawan, Laray, Skina Proper and Kimba-San Roque have been complaining about foul odor coming from the landfill during the early hours of the day or if the wind suddenly shifts direction towards the Talisay City side.
San Roque is adjacent to Inayawan.