Firm gets P65M waste contract

CEBU, Philippines — Even with an ongoing protest from residents in the mountain barangay of Binaliw, the landfill in the barangay will operate.

The city’s Bids and Awards Committee has declared ARN Builders, Inc., the developer of the 10-hectare landfill, as its service provider for a garbage contract amounting to P65 million.

The landfill in Binaliw will serve as disposal site of garbage generated from July to December.

BAC head Ronaldo Malacora told The FREEMAN they declared ARN as the winning bidder after it passed the post qualification stage.

ARN was able to submit its financial, legal, and technical documents.

The financial document is a certification that ARN is financially capable of delivering the service required.

The legal documents include, among others, the business permit, tax clearance, Department of Trade Industry registration, and Bureau of Internal Revenue registration.

The technical documents detail where ARN would dispose of the trash, the number of hauling equipment, and the Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Malacora said ARN offered the lowest bidding price of P647 per ton, which is P28 lower than the offer of another bidder, Jomara Konstruckt Inc.

Protest

Last Saturday, Binaliw residents launched a signature campaign to stop the operation of the landfill. They claim that the landfill has been emitting a foul odor since it opened in March.

The campaign has generated 500 signatures as of yesterday. The signatures will be forwarded to City Hall.

Malacora admitted he was not aware of the residents’ complaint.

"Ang legal na ang mo-decide ana kay legal matter naman na, but if ang violation sa service provider kay naa sa contract, pwede ra ma-rescind kay i-check man unsa'y nakalatid sa kontrata (The legal office will decide on that, but we can rescind the contract if the violation is against the terms of the contract entered into with the city)," he said.

Apas councilman Ramil Ayuman, one of those who initiated the signature campaign, said there is mitigating circumstance that can be raised even if the contract has been awarded to ARN.

"Whether or not ma-award na ang contract (garbage), binding na siya or dili, naa may mitigating circumstance nga i-question ang operation. Ato man iigo sa welfare act sa Local Government Code (Whether or not the contract has been awarded, whether or not it is binding, there is mitigating circumstance that can be raised to question the operation. We will raise it against the welfare clause of the Local Government Code)," Ayuman said.

He said if the barangay official will not act on the residents’ complaint, they may file for a Writ of Kalikasan in court.

ARN is expected to issue a statement on the matter today. (FREEMAN)