Garbage tipping fee hike at ARN looms

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City’s Department of Public Services and other concerned departments are set to meet with the new management of ARN Central Waste Management, Incorporated following a looming increase in tipping fee.

The Freeman learned that a letter had been addressed to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Atty. Janeses Ponce of the city’s Solid Waste Management Board and DPS’ officer-in-charge, Engr. John Paul Gelasque, from Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Incorporated (PWS), a subsidiary of Razon-led Prime Infra which acquired ARN Central Waste Management Inc. in Binaliw this city to update them on their plans for the said facility.

Both Rama, who just got back from Davao City, and Ponce, who was on leave last week, said they are yet to see the letter, thus, opted not to make any comments just yet.

Gelasque, in a separate interview with The Freeman though, said they will be having a meeting with the new management.

Gelasque also admitted it’s a headache on their part if indeed PWS will increase their tipping fee.

The Freeman learned that PWS plans to increase to P1,400 per ton starting this month.

Gelasque said its contract with the previous management is only P700 per ton.

Gelasque said he cannot comment on the other details of this yet as they are yet to meet the representatives of the new owner today.

PWS, accordingly, is bent on putting a world-class materials recovery facility (MRF), something that the city does not have and which the previous owner also promised to build with equipment from abroad.

Its modernization effort also entails more funds, thus, the need to adjust the tipping fee accordingly.

Currently, some residents are still complaining of a foul smell in the area around the ARN landfill and other concerns which are expected to be addressed by PWS too. — GMR (FREEMAN)