Cebu City, recognized as one of the Philippines' most prosperous urban centers, continues to grapple with a severe and unresolved garbage collection problem. Councilor Joel Garganera has publicly voiced his deep concern over the city's persistent reliance on the outdated practice of burying tons of collected waste underground.
A Ticking Time Bomb in Inayawan
At the heart of this environmental crisis is the Inayawan Landfill. Despite a Supreme Court closure order issued in 2017, the site has not been rehabilitated in the eight years since. The accumulating, rotting waste has now formed a mountain, posing a direct threat to public health and the environment.
Garganera emphasized that this is not merely an administrative failure but a significant health hazard. The decomposing garbage releases dangerous chemicals, creating a substantial health risk, particularly for residents living in proximity to the area. The councilor has labeled the situation a "ticking time bomb" that demands immediate action before it is too late.
Legal and Logistical Stumbling Blocks
The path to modernizing the Inayawan Landfill is fraught with complications. The primary obstacle is an ongoing legal dispute over the 15-hectare property, which is currently claimed by both the Cebu City government and a private sector entity. This legal impasse is expected to prolong further, effectively preventing the city from initiating any rehabilitation efforts on the site in the near future.
According to Garganera, simply creating a new landfill is not a sustainable solution for a growing metropolis like Cebu. He advocates for the adoption of a waste-to-energy (WTE) process. This scientifically-backed method not only reduces the volume of waste requiring disposal but also generates electricity, offering a controlled and modern approach to garbage management.
A Call for Unified Action on Modern Solutions
Why hasn't Cebu City immediately pursued this technology? The proposal has previously encountered opposition from various city government officials for differing reasons. Councilor Garganera is now urging for unity among Cebu City's officials to find a modern solution—whether it be WTE or another viable alternative. The critical point, he stresses, is that the city must act decisively and collectively to resolve this garbage collection crisis before the environmental and health consequences become irreversible.
