Talisay Council not keen on opening landfill for LGUs

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council has opposed the idea of having the city's sanitary landfill serve other cities and towns.

Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao said he and other city councilors are not in favor of the idea of offering the Talisay Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Tapul to other local government units.

He said that they would first prioritize Talisay City, before accepting other LGUs.

Mayor Eduardo Gullas earlier said he is open to the possibility of having the city's landfill open for other cities and towns, but clarified that he also needs to consult the City Council and some technical experts.

Councilor Jojo Bacaltos, chairman of the committee on environment, also said they would have to prioritize Talisay before accepting other LGUs' request to dispose of their garbage in the city.

Bucao disclosed that last week, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella spoke with him and asked if he can discuss with Gullas the possibility of the Talisay City landfill accepting garbage from Cebu City south district.

He said it would be impossible because Talisay's landfill is almost full. Talisay reportedly collects 116 tons of garbage per day.

"Sa pagkakarun muingon ko as presiding officer, dili gyud ko musu-got pero depende na sa atong mga kauban (council) basin unya naa silay laing mga options. Naay alternatibo nga nakit-an nakapasway nila nga musugut sila, pero as far as akong information, personal nako nga mura og survey not among sa atong mga councilors nga musogot nga naay laing lugar na mulabang sa ato diri sa Talisay," Bucao said.

The Talisay City landfill is four hectares wide and is divided into three pans. The city is already using the third pan.

Bucao added that it is possible that the council will draft a resolution stating that no other local government unit can dispose of its garbage in Talisay.

On the other hand, both Bucao and Bacaltos said that if the city can find a new contractor to manage the landfill, they will conduct a study if it is okay to accept garbage from other cities.  Bucao disclosed that so far, three companies have applied to manage the city's landfill.

The council asked each of them to present their proposal and give Talisay a copy of the cost and benefits that the city will receive.  (FREEMAN)