EMB-10 pushes for full activation of leachate facility, barangay waste committees

ENVIRONMENTAL Management Bureau (EMB)-10 Regional Director Reynaldo S. Degamo called on the City Government of Cagayan de Oro to urgently operationalize the city’s leachate treatment facility and activate all barangay solid waste management committees to address the growing concerns on garbage collection and landfill operations.

This statement was made during the joint meeting of the City Council committees on environment, on health, nutrition and health insurance, on barangay affairs and on laws and rules, which tackled the special report of Councilor Imee Rose P. Moreno regarding the garbage management in the city.

Degamo acknowledged Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez’s appeal over the visible garbage buildup across the city, especially after the holiday and election seasons.

He admitted that while Tencil, the city’s solid waste private contractor, reportedly exceeded their contracted monthly collection volume of 36,000 tons, the issue goes beyond mere hauling.

“It is a heavy toll on CLENRO to manage all these if we do not institutionalize what is required by law,” Degamo said, stressing that barangay-level solid waste management must be implemented in line with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

He pointed out that while some barangays, such as Baikingon, have shown strong commitment to waste reduction, many others remain non-compliant.

He urged the active involvement of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president in mobilizing the 80 barangays to perform their waste management duties.

Degamo also raised alarm over the city’s P300-million annual garbage collection budget, questioning its long-term sustainability.

“That amount could have been allocated to other essential services. And garbage has no return of investment,” he said.

On landfill operations, Degamo noted that Cell 2 of the city’s sanitary landfill is already closed, and Cell 3 is beginning to overflow beyond its High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) liner. He warned that continued disposal on unlined portions poses risks of groundwater contamination, especially to the nearby Iponan River.

He expressed frustration that the leachate treatment facility, a critical component for preventing environmental damage, remains non-operational due to delays in the MORESCO three-phase electrical connection.

“Until now, the equipment and facility are still not functional,” he added.

Degamo also called for clear delineation of responsibilities between the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) and the City Engineering Office (CEO), noting that only recently was landfill operation transferred to CLENRO, previously handled by the CEO.

In support of CLENRO’s enforcement efforts, Degamo recounted how his office mediated a technical conference to address political tensions involving barangay officials issued with notices of violation for non-implementation of waste segregation at source. He reported that most barangays have since complied.

Lastly, he supported the proper regulation—not closure—of junk shops, recognizing their role in recyclable waste disposal.

“They can be prospective disposal areas for recyclables. We just need them to operate properly,” he said.

Degamo emphasized the importance of amending the city’s 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan, which is set to expire in 2028, to reflect current needs such as contracted hauling and landfill operations.

“We must all work together to minimize the volume of waste being hauled to the landfill. Only then can we extend its service life and achieve a sustainable waste management system,” he concluded. (JAOclarit/SP)