The Mandaue City Council has taken a proactive step to address growing concerns about the city's primary waste disposal site. Councilors passed a resolution formally inviting Prime Waste Solutions, the operator of the local landfill, to appear before the legislative body next week.
Seeking Clarity on Landfill's Future
The council's primary goal is to obtain a clear update on the facility's operational status, specifically its remaining capacity and long-term sustainability. Councilor Carlo Fortuna emphasized the urgency, stating the invitation aims to clarify how long the landfill can continue serving the waste disposal needs of both Mandaue City and the wider Metro Cebu area.
"We want them to give us an update on the status of their operations and, at the very least, give us a clear idea of how long the landfill can continue serving the city and Metro Cebu," Fortuna explained. He recalled that the memorandum of agreement between the City of Mandaue and Prime Waste Solutions was approved back in 2019, during his term as vice mayor and acting mayor.
From "Flat" to "Mountain": A Startling Transformation
Councilor Fortuna expressed significant concern over the landfill's physical transformation. He noted that the initial understanding during the agreement's signing was that the landfill would maintain a relatively flat profile. The current reality, however, is starkly different.
"Our understanding then was that the landfill was flat. Now, it has become like a mountain," Fortuna stated, highlighting that the volume of waste being deposited appears unusually high. After a personal visit to the site with barangay captains, he was surprised by its condition, comparing it to a "Smokey Mountain" rather than the layered soil-and-waste operation he envisioned.
This visual change raises serious questions about the volume of waste received. Fortuna warned that if the facility is accepting more waste than originally projected, it would undoubtedly shorten its operational timetable, creating a pressing crisis for the city.
Preparing for the Inevitable and Exploring Alternatives
Fortuna stressed that while it is clear the Barangay Binaliw landfill will eventually reach peak capacity, the uncertainty of *when* makes planning difficult. "There is a serious question now on whether the landfill is still sustainable and how long it can continue accepting waste from Mandaue City," he said.
In anticipation of potential closure or limitations, the councilor insists the city must begin preparing alternative waste disposal solutions immediately. He pointed to the need to revisit proposals like waste-to-energy projects to better manage the city's garbage long-term.
Concurrently, the council approved a separate resolution. This measure requests the City Planning and Development Office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office to submit any existing plans that could help augment or improve the waste management system at the landfill. These combined actions reflect the council's hope to proactively tackle future waste management challenges before they become emergencies.
