AIMING to address urgent waste management needs, a Cebu City councilor emphasizes the importance of first piloting the proposed materials recovery facilities (MRFs) before expanding to additional sites.
During an executive session on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros and city councilors revisited the initiative to establish five MRFs in selected barangays across Cebu City, a plan initially introduced in late 2024.
Councilor Nestor Archival expressed a cautious outlook regarding the proposed MRFs, calling for a demonstration of feasibility before proceeding with the construction of additional facilities.
He argued against rushing the construction of all five facilities at once, advocating for a more gradual and well-justified approach.
“This facility is good, but we need to prove that it will work. We cannot simply put MRFs in all barangays and start over again. You need something like a proof of concept,” he said.
While Archival acknowledged the potential of the waste management facility, he stressed the need for solid evidence, supported by data and numbers, to demonstrate its cost-effectiveness and benefits to the city.
Erica Cardoso, managing director at Evergreen Labs Philippines, indicated in her presentation that the proposal was prepared based on the P53 million budget mentioned by the Solid Waste Management Council, which is funded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Cardoso noted that the company is open to adjustments and is willing to proceed with building one facility at a time if necessary.
Evergreen Labs Philippines is the Singapore-based company that submitted an unsolicited proposal to Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to construct the five MRFs.
Garbage volume
Emma Ramas, alternate chairperson of the City Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (CESWB), argued that the proposal for five MRFs is clearly beneficial, given its potential to divert a significant amount of waste from landfills.
Ramas stated that these facilities will divert 5,000 tons of waste from landfills, with each generating revenue from products produced and plastic credits under the Extended Producers Responsibility Law.
She added that CESWMB is collaborating with Barangays Bulacao, Calamba and Ermita for potential MRF sites.
Ramas reassured that there would be no issues with noise or odors if the MRFs are established, emphasizing a “no smell, no trash” concept.
Each MRF will be custom-designed for its respective barangay, featuring a 450-square-meter floor space, a container office unit, a rainwater catchment system and advanced processing and sorting equipment (including conveyor systems, balers, shredders, crushers, and handling tools). It will also include a computer system for digital monitoring and semi-automated sorting lines for efficient waste separation. Additionally, 35 electric tricycles will be launched for waste collection and transportation.