Disposal firm selling meat?

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is now investigating a private company involved in garbage collection and disposal after it received complaints the company allegedly sold condemned meat for composting to the public and even to eateries nearby.

The company was also accused of indiscriminately disposing of waste and operating without proper documents from the city government.

The accusations against the company were disclosed in the investigation report of Cebu City Health Department sanitation inspector Manuel Cañeda. The investigation report was one of the topics tackled in the recent regular session of the City Council.

Cañeda said that CHD sanitation inspectors have conducted an inspection of the company twice.

The complaint stemmed from an incident brought to the attention of the Inayawan Barangay Captain Lutherlee Ignacio-Soon about the selling of condemned meat for composting which was loaded in a van allegedly owned by the company.

The van, which allegedly parked along White Road, Inayawan on October 24, 2014, was caught selling the condemned meat to the public and eateries nearby, as revealed in the investigation report.

“Upon investigation by the Office of the Brgy. Captain immediately after the incident, it was found out that indeed there was selling of the condemned meat coming from the said van, by scavengers, who pilfered it and in connivance with the Security Guard, as alleged by the management,” the CHD investigation report read.

On January 14, 2015, CHD sanitation inspectors conducted the first investigation. It revealed that the company had no business permit, no sanitary permit, no health certificates, no certificate of employment for a pollution control officer presented during the inspection, and no composting of condemned meat (imported pork) conducted during the inspection.

THE FREEMAN tried to get the side of the company; however, calls and text messages went unanswered.

According to the official website of the company, it has been in the business for over 10 years and has compactor and dump trucks that collect segregated waste from their clients. The company also claims to have its own material recovery facility in Inayawan that can process almost all kinds of waste.

The company was given 15 days after the first inspection to get the necessary documents.

On February 3, CHD sanitation inspectors inspected the company again. The company showed its temporary business permit which is valid until April 20, 2015, however its sanitary permit is still under process.

“Incomplete fencing noted only 60 percent of the area is fenced, storage area not provided with roof. Cluttering of plastic materials noted near the open area near the entrance or receiving and exit area. Biodegradable dumping area is lined with plastic sheet (not indicated if Department of Environment and Natural Resources approved thickness),” the investigation of Cañeda read.

“Pest Control by management only (not indicated if chemical applicator is FPA trained and or accredited). No mention of the presence of a bacteriological analysis monitoring well (water pollution testing faucet required for solid waste disposal facility),” it added.

During the inspection, it was found out that the company has no operating permit for waste disposal facility approved by the Regional Director of Department of Health.

The Cebu City Council has referred the matter to its committee on environment and to the City Legal Office for appropriate action on the alleged deficiencies and violations. — /BRP (FREEMAN)