MEMBERS of Informal Waste Sector (IWS) in Barangay Felisa, Bacolod City had asked the assistance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) after they were disallowed by their village chief to search and collect re-usable goods among the rubbish at the Sanitary Landfill in the said barangay.
The letter, signed by 18 members of IWS dated July 24, was addressed to DILG-Bacolod head Maredith Madayag.
The letter stated that they started collecting re-usable goods at the landfill in 2004.
They said when Village Chief Ramon Jardin assumed the post of his wife Mona Dia Jardin, who was elected as Board of Director of Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa) in 2017, their problems started.
They added they cannot enter the landfill without an identification card (ID) signed by Jardin and they were also disallowed to talk with the other village officials.
They said that Jardin threatened them because they failed to support him in May 2018 elections.
“We are hopeful that DILG can address our problems,” they added.
On July 20, Jardin issued a memorandum for the implementation of new ID for IWS as their gate passes in the landfill effective July 23.
Jardin said there’s a change because they need to evaluate, asses, reorient and recognize the existing members of IWS Association in order to have a smooth, convenient and appropriate operations at the landfill.
He said they need to give the new ID to the members who are compliant to prescribe qualifications and existing rules, regulations and policies of the association in order to be recognized by the local government unit and all other concerned agencies.
He added they will release the first 120 identification cards to the qualified members of IWS.
Jardin noted they will be another batch for the releasing of the ID.
“This will give emphasis on the implementing rules and regulation of the Republic Act 9003 in operating of the landfill. We want to secure the identities of all individuals operating within the perimeters of the landfill,” Jardin said.