BACOLOD CITY – The construction of the sanitary landfill Cell No. 5 in Barangay Felisa, Bacolod City, is now 75 percent complete, according to Mario Sandil, operations manager of International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists Inc. (ISWIMS).
Project Details and Timeline
Sandil confirmed that the new cell, located adjacent to Cell No. 4, is on track for completion by the second week of June 2026. The City Government allocated a total of P66 million for the project, which spans two hectares.
“We are implementing the correct components and system in the construction of the landfill such as the benching system, slope protection, and soil covering,” Sandil said.
Recognition and Safety Measures
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) previously commended the Bacolod City sanitary landfill, recognizing it as a model facility not only in the Negros Island Region but across the entire country. The landfill is equipped with complete operational components and has a capacity of 900 metric tons per day. It is the only landfill in the region operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme.
Established in 2010, the facility’s Cell No. 4 is currently at its operational peak. Sandil expressed gratitude to EMB for their recognition: “We are very thankful because they also appreciate what we are doing to the city’s landfill like the proper way of constructing as well as the maintenance of the landfill.”
He added that measures are being implemented in Cell No. 4 to prevent a landfill collapse similar to the incident that occurred in Cebu City. Once Cell No. 5 is completed, Cell No. 4 will be formally closed.
Operational Improvements
Sandil noted that corrective actions have been implemented since ISWIMS took over operations. “We made rectifications to address errors left by the previous private contractor to ensure safety while maximizing the capacity of Cell No. 4,” he said.
Cell No. 5 can accommodate the city’s garbage for two to three years, handling at least 2,500 to 5,000 tons of garbage per day.
Waste Reduction Initiatives
Lawyer Allyn Luv Dignadice, head of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (Benro), said that while efforts are focused on extending the facility’s life, various initiatives are also underway to minimize the city’s residual waste. “This is the result of collaboration among different offices, not only Benro, in ensuring compliance with environmental guidelines,” Dignadice said.
To further support the city’s goal of extending the landfill’s operational life, Benro urged residents to strictly practice waste segregation at the source.
