More trash, bigger pay
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña wants to collect garbage fees from business establishments according to the amount of trash an establishment produces.
This means an establishment with more trash will pay the city more while those with less trash will pay less.
“The principle here is that government, as part of government service, should collect everybody’s garbage, but if you’re an abnormal producer of garbage and you are in business then the cost of getting rid of your abnormal garbage because of your business should be part of your doing business,” Osmeña said.
He said it is important to classify so that taxing will be fair.
The Department of Public Services (DPS) has noticed that there are establishments that produce big amounts of garbage but are only paying a very minimal amount to the city for collection.
Likewise, the DPS noted there are big establishments that produce less garbage and small businesses that produce the opposite.
The taxing matrix is yet to be finalized but the mayor wants to implement the new system by January.
Once the new system will be in place, Osmeña is optimistic that the city government will have to allocate a smaller budget for garbage collection. The money is used to pay for outsourced service and rent heavy equipment.
For 2018, the city has budgeted P313 million for garbage collection and disposal and P65 million for rental of heavy equipment.
If they do not want to pay the city for collection, Osmeña said establishments that produce large amounts garbage may hire a private contractor.
“The city government will just concentrate on the garbage of your house… urban poor areas will be taken care of but malls, restaurants, and other establishments, they have to find their own way,” the mayor said.
He said the city will consult the public as regards the plan.—/JMO