Worth P25.2 million: Firm bags trash collection deal

CEBU, Philippines — Garbage collection in Cebu City is expected to be better as it seals the deal with Jomara Konstruct Corp. for a P25.2 million contract for garbage collection.

At least 30 additional garbage trucks will be used to collect garbage round-the-clock once Jomara begins work, said Engr. Joel Biton, head of the Department of Public Services.

“Naa na tay hauling ug collection… malimpyo na gyud ang syudad tungod daghan na ang mokolekta (There will be hauling and collection. The city will be cleaned fast, finally, as more trucks will be used in collecting),” Biton told The FREEMAN.

On top of the P25.2 million garbage collection contract, Biton said Jomara also has a P32 million hauling contract with the city government for the final disposal.

Under the terms and reference, the city will pay Jomara P1,400 per ton for collection and P1,298 per ton for disposal.

Biton said the city needs the help of a private firm in collecting garbage because it only has 13 garbage trucks.

The city’s Bids and Awards Committee is expected to award the contract to Jomara within the week.

“Ang service provider, maningkamot gyud na og kuha sa atong garbage kay by tonnage man ang pagkuha nila. Sa DPS, padayon pod ang collection hasta ang barangay (The service provider will be aggressive in collecting garbage because they were being paid by tonnage. The DPS and the barangays will also continue their work),” he said.

Biton said the DPS will be in charge of dispatching Jomara’s garbage trucks for garbage collection. The trucks will be monitored to ensure they will only collect garbage in the city.

Meanwhile, Biton said BAC is yet to schedule the bidding for the P190.3 million additional budget for garbage collection and disposal this year.

With the additional budget, the city can hire two firms for collection and hauling.

The city will pay at least P1,400 per ton for collection and at least P1,298 per ton for disposal.

The current administration has allocated additional budget for garbage collection and disposal, considering that it is reviewing the P232-million purchase of 21 compactor trucks for alleged “overpricing.”

It was during the time of former mayor Tomas Osmeña when the city decided to purchase compactor trucks to minimize the expenses of outsourcing or hiring private service providers for garbage collection and disposal.

Last year, the city spent at least P133.67 million for rental of garbage trucks and P286.8 million for hauling garbage. (FREEMAN)