Cebu City’s Public Services Office Proposes PHP200M for Trash Fees

The Cebu City Government’s Department of Public Services (DPS) has proposed a PHP200-million supplemental budget to cover the additional payment for garbage disposal this year.

Cebu City Councilor Margarita Osmeña said the current setup may appear to be more expensive, but it is actually advantageous to the city.

At present, Jomara Konstruct Corp., a private service provider, handles the city’s garbage disposal, which costs the local government PHP1,375 per ton of waste disposed.

Earlier, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the city could save funds because it would no longer spend for the maintenance of garbage trucks, gasoline expenses and salary of drivers.

The PHP1,375 already includes payments for the tipping fee, use of backhoes and garbage trucks, salary for drivers and garbage loaders and the use of a transfer station.

During the term of former Mayor Michael Rama, the city paid PHP700 per ton for tipping fee for garbage of barangays in the north while those in the south paid PHP1,500 per ton, which included the hauling fee.

The city also provided payloaders, drivers, garbage loaders and transfer station.

DPS Assistant Chief John Paul Gelasque said the city has an approved PHP75-million budget for garbage disposal this year, but it is only good until April.

“The PHP200 million proposal is still initial but based on my computation, it will cover until Dec. 31. I will endorse it to the executive so they can also act on it,” he said.

Gelasque said the city spends PHP26 million every month to dispose an average of 600 tons of garbage are collected daily. (PNA)FPV/EB/EBP