CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has dismissed mounting complaints of foul odor from garbage temporarily stored at the South Road Properties (SRP), attributing them largely to “social media chatter.”
“Wala man siguro kaayo…ug imo gung ingnog baho, bisag way baho, baho na na siya…Ug moingon kas social media nga baho na gyud kayo, bisan naa ta diri sa city hall, baho na gyud na,” Archival said, suggesting that online narratives may be amplifying the issue.
The temporary transfer station near Pond A has drawn concern from residents, passersby, and locators, who fear both the stench and possible contamination of nearby water bodies.
Councilor Jun Alcover, despite being on medical leave, confirmed to The Freeman that he had already received calls about the odor.
Department of Public Services (DPS) head Paul Gelasque acknowledged that while barangays were instructed to segregate waste, “it can never be perfected,” adding that even dump trucks emit foul odor when passing through city streets.
He noted that the city is now seeking a permanent transfer station, stressing that SRP’s Pond A is only a stopgap measure.
Councilor Joel Garganera warned that unless Cebu City institutionalizes a safer mechanism for garbage disposal, the problem could escalate. He emphasized the need for proper systems to prevent health and environmental risks, especially as SRP continues to serve as a temporary transfer station.
The city’s waste management woes have spanned multiple sites over the past decade. The closure of the Inayawan landfill forced the city to rely on the private facility in Binaliw, until a trash slide last January halted its operations.
The city then shifted to Consolacion’s Asian Energy landfill, but payment issues and the non-consummation of a memorandum of agreement with the private operator eventually barred Cebu’s garbage from the site.
With limited options, the city turned to SRP’s Pond A as a temporary transfer station. From there, private haulers transport waste some 58–61 kilometers southwest to Aloguinsan, where Archival said an agreement has been secured to accept Cebu’s daily waste.
“Hopefully, kon ma-institutionalize na nato ang pagdali pagkuha sa garbage, siguro within two weeks noh, malimyo na na nato,” the mayor said.
Aside from Pond A, Archival earlier disclosed via social media that SRP’s “bagsakan” area—originally intended as an agricultural hub—has been repurposed as a shredding site for garbage.
This conversion has raised alarm among stakeholders who fear that SRP, envisioned as Cebu’s showcase for commerce and development, is sliding into a dumpsite rather than a hub of progress.
Mayor Archival urged residents to exercise patience.
“Ang ako lang…murag gamay na lang na pasensya. Mao ng we are doing the best we can. This is something na dili nato tuyo,” he said.
| Written by Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/RAE
