Committee OKs MRF construction

The Cebu City Council committee on laws, ordinances, and styling is in favor of the proposed ordinance establishing a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at the controversial landfill in Barangay Inayawan.

The committee has issued a favorable report on the proposed measure of Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., who chairs the committee of public services.

"Considering the foregoing, this committee finds the proposed ordinance to be within the power of this Sanggunian to enact," the committee report reads.

The committee recommends that the proposed measure shall be referred to the committee on budget and finance as well as to the committee on environment for comments and recommendations.

A public hearing is also scheduled on December 13 for other stakeholders to pitch in their thoughts and ideas.

Councilors Sisinio Andales, Joy Augustus Young and Alvin Arcilla signed the committee report recommending for the establishment of an MRF.

Opposition Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, however, expressed reservation on the committee report.

"I was alarmed that the committee report did not mention about the Court of Appeals' (CA) decision – the Writ of Kalikasan wherein the decision is peculiar to that Inayawan landfill. Considering that this is (the) committee on laws, (its) report should have at least touched the decision so that other committees will be guided as to the course of action it would take in the future," Garcia said.

The Barug Team Rama camp, where Garcia is affiliated, was concerned about the legality of putting up an MRF at the landfill, which the CA has shut down for about 11 months already.

Andales, however, believes that (the proposed ordinance) is under the rule of law for it is part of its compliance on the rehabilitation of the Inayawan landfill, which is still pending for final deliberation.

Councilor Gabuya had sponsored the establishment of an MRF because he sees that it is an efficient and effective way to treat the tons of garbage that the city is generating daily.

He said the move is pursuant to Section 32 of the Republic Act 9003 otherwise known as the Solid Waste Management Act which provides that Local Government Unit shall establish an MRF.

The MRF is expected to process or treat different types of waste which includes organic waste, paperboard, wood, plastic, construction demolition waste, textile, tins, rubber, and bottles.

The MRF, which is expected to operate 24 hours a day, will be charged under the city's Capital Outlay for Solid Waste Management.