CEBU. In a recent development, Cebu City has announced it is not yet prepared to transfer its waste disposal operations to the alternative sites of Aloguinsan and Toledo. This decision comes as city officials continue to meticulously study the associated costs and logistical requirements following the tragic closure of the Binaliw landfill.
Mayor Archival Cites Budget and Cost Evaluations
Mayor Nestor Archival emphasized that the city government is currently rearranging its budget and evaluating hauling and tipping fees before any waste can be sent outside the city. "For the meantime, we are not ready," Archival stated, highlighting the ongoing computations for total expenses involved in transporting waste to Aloguinsan.
Breakdown of Hauling Costs Under Scrutiny
The mayor explained that hauling costs are divided into two key components:
- The journey from barangays to the transfer station.
- The trip from the transfer station to the landfill.
These expenses have not yet been finalized, adding to the delay in the transition plan.
Temporary Measures and Current Operations
Currently, Cebu City's temporary transfer station remains operational at the Carbon Market. This facility also houses shredding machines used to reduce the volume of waste destined for landfills. The city is focusing on minimizing waste generation to cut down on the significant costs of hauling to more distant sites.
Background on Alternative Sites
The towns of Aloguinsan and Toledo City were initially identified by the Cebu Provincial Government as temporary waste disposal sites for Cebu City after the Binaliw landfill tragedy on January 8. This incident resulted in multiple fatalities and paralyzed the city's main waste disposal system.
On January 28, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced that Aloguinsan Mayor Cesare Ignatius "Ig-Ig" Moreno had agreed to temporarily accept Cebu City's waste, with the San Rafael Sanitary Landfill designated as the disposal site. However, Mayor Archival stressed that the city cannot proceed without clear cost parameters.
Budget Constraints and Future Projections
"We are looking at how much it will really cost, considering the amount we have in the budget," Archival noted. The approved annual budget for the Department of Public Services (DPS) stands at approximately P500 million. For now, Cebu City will continue hauling waste to Consolacion under an extended agreement until March 31.
Hope for April Readiness
Mayor Archival expressed optimism that the city will be prepared to transport waste to Aloguinsan by April, provided that issues related to costing, logistics, and funding are resolved. "The fight here is in the city," he added, underscoring the need for Cebu City to first reduce its waste volume to manage the high expenses of long-distance hauling.
Waste Management Strategies in Place
To aid in waste management, the city operates a transfer station and shredding facility at the Carbon Market. Here, biodegradable and plastic wastes are processed to decrease the amount of trash sent to landfills, showcasing ongoing efforts to improve environmental sustainability amid the disposal crisis.
