Signature campaign on vs. Binaliw landfill

CEBU, Philippines —  As a primary step to stop the operation of the sanitary landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City, a signature campaign will be launched today at 11 a.m.

Barangay Apas Councilman Ramil Ayuman, who is one of those who initiated the movement, said they came up with the campaign after receiving complaints about the foul smell from the landfill.

He said during their earlier sorties, the residents in the area have been very vocal about the stench coming from the privately-owned landfill in the barangay.

“Actually, kanang magpulong-pulong mi ba, daghan nireklamo diha sa Sitio Santa Ana, and naa sad gud mga na-relocate diha from Barangay Apas nga nireklamo sila nga baho sukad nga gisugdan og labay ang Mandaue diha,” Ayuman said yesterday.

He said they expect 70% of the residents in Binaliw to sign the petition against the operation of the landfill, as well as residents, subdivision owners, and other environmental groups.

The petition will then be submitted to the city government.

The 10-hectare landfill was developed after the Cebu City Council, which was dominated by Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan councilors, approved the special land use permit of the developer.

Since March, ARN Builders Inc., the developer of the landfill, became the service provider for solid waste disposal after securing accreditation papers from the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office.

Other than the signature campaign, a protest will be held in front of the landfill. Ayuman said mayor-elect Edgardo Labella may also be joining their cause.

In a separate interview, Labella said that he is against the operation of the Binaliw landfill considering that it poses health hazards and other environmental issues to the city.

Like Ayuman, he said he also received complaints from the resident about the stench coming from the landfill.

“Actually, I really share the sentiments of those residents who are against it because it is always my position that there should not be any landfill anymore in the City of Cebu. Besides, the Binaliw landfill is a place that is densely populated. There are many residents surrounding the area and there are subdivisions,” Labella said.

He said they will find a way to address the concerns of the affected residents, especially right now as the City Council is still dominated by BOPK councilors.

“We will really have to insist pursuant to the general welfare clause of the Local Government Code because it endangers the health and well-being of the residents in the area and the surrounding barangays,” Labella said.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., the sponsor of the resolution pushing for the approval of the special land use permit for the landfill, was not available for comment as of press time. — BRP (FREEMAN)