Team Rama dads question huge trash allocation

CEBU, Philippines — In whose administration did the Cebu City government spend a lot of money for garbage collection?

This was the question posed by city councilors affiliated with Barug Team Rama after finding out the executive department is proposing P313 million for garbage collection and P65 million to rent heavy equipment for next year’s trash operations.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said if the public compares the expenses for garbage collection of the previous administration led by former mayor Michael Rama and the present administration’s expenses, it would answer the question.

“Dako kaayo ni og katingalahan ngano nga moabot og P400 million plus, when you compare it to the previous administration, it was only P120 million and then substantial ba g’yud ang improvement sa garbage collection nga times three or times four ang budget?” he told reporters yesterday.

He added trash is not being collected effectively as he can still see piles of garbage near major thoroughfares.

Councilor Joel Garganera said Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is good with blaming others without even noticing his own mistakes.

“He’s been accusing the previous administration of overspending but look asa man ta karon, times four. Mao nay giingon for every accusing finger, there’s three pointing back at you,” he said.

Garganera added the executive department ignored their suggestion to let the North District barangays dispose of their trash directly to the private landfill in Consolacion so that the city government can save money, gasoline, and other resources.

During the previous administration, North District barangays dumped their trash directly to Consolacion paying the P700 tipping fee per ton which is lower compared to tipping fee paid by South District barangays.

At present, the city government is paying a P1,296 tipping fee per ton of garbage from both south and north district barangays.

Councilor Jose Daluz III shared the same opinion with Garcia saying the city government entered into a “disadvantageous” contract in its previous transaction.

“Kana nga amount para kanako personally I am willing to give, ang problema lang they entered a disadvantageous contract kato lang sa P700 per hour sa rental,” he said.

Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr. said Osmeña is deceiving the public.

“Gobyerno ni Tomas, gobyerno sa pangilad ug pangwarta, wala nako’y mahuna-hunaan. Kung serbisyo pa wala nay reklamo ron. We are willing to cooperate with this administration kung para sa katawhan,” he said.

The councilors said during the budget hearing a few days from now, they want to see the detailed proposed budget for next year’s operation on garbage collection.

During a press conference, Osmeña said the queries of the opposition councilors are valid.

“Remember our priority is to collect the garbage, after that we will do the fine tuning and analysis. When you do something new, it will never work perfectly. We are fighting war against garbage,” he said.

He also said he is open to the suggestion of the councilors allowing North District barangays to dispose directly in Consolacion. He also said people with ideas can call the Department of Public Services at 09124445555.

“I will consider that but there’s no north barangay volunteers to throw it in Consolacion. If there is, sure, why not? I am open to anything and let them justify whether it makes it or not, let them do it,” Osmeña said. (FREEMAN)