Movement vs Binaliw landfill revived

CEBU, Philippines — As issues concerning the ARN Sanitary Landfill in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City had surfaced anew, some members of the Protect Binaliw Movement (PBM) are eyeing the revival of the group.

One of PBM’s members, Ramil Ayuman, former Barangay Apas captain and now serving as one of Mayor Mike Rama’s special assistants, has confirmed such move.

The PBM was formed a few years back due to the concerns raised by residents around the landfill.

Ayuman recalled that the group was able to file complaints against the garbage facility and got ARN fined.

He added that he got himself involved with PBM as there are former settlers in Barangay Apas that had been relocated very near the landfill in Binaliw who asked for his help.

With the issue concerning the landfill cropping up lately, Ayuman said some members have decided to revive the group.

Ayuman is also calling on other former members of the movement as well as other concerned individuals and groups to join their cause.

Currently, some members of the PBM are looking at going to Binaliw and hold an overnight stay to verify claims of foul smell, especially at night and dawn.

Aside from that, they would also be checking on the creek which has reportedly become dirty due to the landfill’s action.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources had also investigated a complaint from one of the residents of Binaliw and said that the management of ARN has already made mitigating measures on it.

The DENR, however, did not include in their reply letter their own findings of the complaint.

Meanwhile, during their flag raising at the City Hall, Mayor Mike Rama vowed to address the issues concerning the landfill.

Aside from the landfill, Rama also reiterated his promise to solve the issue of flooding, garbage, the homeless, and other concerns in the city’s quest to become Singapore–like. — (FREEMAN)