Cebu City is planning to implement a "no-touch ground policy" for garbage transfer operations as part of efforts to address complaints about odor and improve waste management while awaiting the possible reopening of the Prime Integrated Waste Solutions (PWS) landfill in Barangay Binaliw, a mountainous area of Cebu City.
According to Department of Public Services (DPS) Head Paul Gelasque, the city is currently conducting a bidding for a new hauling contract worth over PHP 204 million, which requires the winning contractor to build a ramp system at the transfer area in the South Road Properties (SRP).
Under the proposed system, garbage collected by barangay and DPS trucks will no longer be dumped directly on the ground. The collection trucks will ascend the ramp and directly transfer their load to larger hauling trucks bound for Aloguinsan.
"The policy direction of the mayor is a no-touch ground policy. The garbage will no longer be placed on the ground. The trucks will directly transfer the waste to larger haulers," he said.
This move comes as the city continues to clean up thousands of tons of garbage that have accumulated at the temporary holding area in Pond A of the SRP. According to Gelasque, nearly 10,000 tons of garbage have been hauled from the SRP from June 1 to June 13.
He said the city aims to completely clear the area before the State of the City Address (SOCA) of Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, which is scheduled for July 6.
"Hopefully, before the end of the month or before the State of the City Address, the area will already be cleared," Gelasque added.
