Increase in fuel allocation for garbage trucks sought

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council is requesting the Office of the City Mayor to increase the monthly fuel allocation for all vehicles used for garbage collection, saying that the reduction has affected operations.

Councilor Harry Eran, during the most recent regular session, filed this resolution, which was subsequently approved by the Council.

In the resolution, Eran highlighted that the motor vehicles used for garbage collection in Cebu City were previously allocated an average of 400 liters of fuel per month, but this has been reduced to only 150 liters per month.

“This significant reduction in fuel allocation has adversely affected the capacity of garbage trucks to adequately and efficiently collect and dispose of solid waste,” said Eran.

The councilor cited that the South District barangays are considerably distant from the Binaliw Landfill, which means that this requires higher fuel consumption than the others to ensure the timely hauling and disposal of collected waste.

The Eran resolution also cited the provision from Republic Act No. 9003 (the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000), which mandates that local government units ensure the proper collection, transfer, and disposal of solid waste as part of their primary duty to protect public health and the environment.

It added that the City of Cebu, through its local ordinances on solid waste management, also recognizes the necessity of providing adequate logistical and operational support, including fuel allocation, for the efficient performance of garbage collection services.

The Council approved the measure urging Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival to increase the monthly fuel allocation for all motor vehicles utilized for garbage collection, particularly those servicing the South District barangays.

Meanwhile, in another approved measure authored by Eran, the Council also requested the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) Board to study the possible extension of the 20 percent discount on tollway fees for the benefit of senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Eran’s resolution cited provisions of Republic Act No. 9994 (the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010), and Republic Act No. 10754 (the Act Expanding the Benefits and Privileges of PWDs), which mandate that senior citizens and PWDs shall be entitled to a 20 percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT) on certain goods and services for their exclusive use and benefit.

Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) include land transportation services among those covered by the mandatory 20 percent discount.  (CEBU NEWS)