Mandaue City Council Intensifies Discussions on Solid Waste Crisis
The Mandaue City Council is ramping up its deliberations on the city's escalating solid waste crisis, driven by mounting concerns over the capacity of existing disposal sites to handle the daily surge in garbage generated across Metro Cebu. Councilor Carlo Fortuna highlighted that recent council sessions have centered intensely on this pressing issue, with particular attention to the uncertain future of Barangay Garing in Consolacion as a waste recipient for Mandaue City and neighboring local government units.
Uncertainty Over Landfill Capacity
Councilor Fortuna emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that discussions during the last session were particularly intense due to the massive volume of waste and the lack of clarity on how long Barangay Garing can continue to accommodate it. "If you saw the last session, the discussion on waste was very intense. The volume is huge, and we are no longer certain how long Barangay Garing in Consolacion can accommodate the existing volume of waste coming from Mandaue City and Metro Cebu," Fortuna stated. To address these concerns, the City Council invited the operator of the Barangay Binaliw landfill to provide updates, but the operator requested a separate, more focused meeting with council members to detail the current status.
Closed-Door Meeting Scheduled
In response, the council has agreed to hold a closed-door meeting with the landfill operator next week, likely on Monday or shortly thereafter, at the landfill site itself. Fortuna clarified that this meeting will not be part of the regular council session and will be limited to council members, as per the operator's request. "This will be a closed-door meeting. It will not be part of the session. They requested a private discussion with the members of the council, and afterward, I will share the outcome," he explained. This move underscores the urgency of assessing the landfill's viability and planning for immediate waste management strategies.
Exploring Short-Term and Long-Term Solutions
Currently, Mandaue City is actively exploring alternative waste disposal options, but the immediate priority remains a potential return to the Barangay Binaliw landfill after a proposed three-month rehabilitation period. "At this point, Mandaue City is trying to explore other options, but our priority, even in our council sessions, is really to go back to Barangay Binaliw after three months. Hopefully, the landfill can be rehabilitated within that time," Fortuna noted. However, he stressed that Barangay Binaliw is not a sustainable long-term solution, especially given the daily increase in waste volume across Metro Cebu, which contributes nearly 3,000 tons of waste each day.
Challenges and Future Directions
Fortuna pointed out that with Metro Cebu's growing population, including six highly urbanized cities, it is unrealistic to expect a significant reduction in residual waste soon. "Even if we aim for volume reduction, our calculations show that the waste volume is actually increasing. With the growing population in Metro Cebu, you cannot really expect the volume of residual waste to go down," he warned. He added that landfills are constrained by land area, and once saturated, the city will be forced to seek new disposal sites. In light of these challenges, the council is now discussing alternative long-term solutions, such as waste-to-energy technology, which may gain legal backing through a bill sponsored by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to amend environmental laws.
Immediate Concerns and Dependencies
Despite these forward-looking discussions, Fortuna emphasized that the city's immediate focus remains on the Barangay Binaliw landfill. "Our main concern right now is Binaliw. First, when will they reissue their permits? And second, how long can they really accommodate the volume of waste?" he said. Until a sustainable long-term solution is finalized, Mandaue City has limited choices and continues to rely on nearby landfills. "For now, we are still looking at Binaliw because it is the nearest option. There is no concrete alternative yet unless we move toward waste-to-energy," Fortuna concluded, highlighting the critical need for decisive action to address the solid waste crisis in Metro Cebu.
