Gullas open to possible use of Talisay's landfill

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas is open if another city would request to be allowed to dump its garbage at the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Tapul.

He said, however, that the City Council should be present if there would be officials from other local government units who would see him in his office.

He said he needs to seek advice so the council members should also take part and give their opinions and suggestions, especially during the decision-making process.

He made the statement after Department of Environment and Natural Resources legal counsel Cheryl Angeline Roque said that Talisay City has one of only five operational landfill facilities in Cebu.

She made the statement after Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña asked the Court of Appeals for time to locate an alternative landfill for City Hall to comply with the order to close the Inayawan landfill.

Gullas said that he is open to the possibility, especially if Cebu City will seek their help.

“Kailangan ta og advice sa council. Dili ko mag buot-buot.  I need people who are technically available to advice Talisay.  Pero wala ko mosira sa possibility," Gullas added.

DENR Secretary Gina Lopez had ordered the immediate closure of the Inayawan landfill after learning that it was near the sea, which she said should not have been allowed in the first place.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera had filed a petition for the court to issue a Temporary Environmental Protection Order to stop the operation of the Inayawan landfill. (FREEMAN)