Waste management firm under fire over Binaliw landfill operations

Local

A WASTE management company has defended itself against allegations made by the former operator of the Binaliw landfill in Cebu City.

Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PWS) said it is considering legal action against Arnold Espinoza, president of ARN Central Waste Management Inc. (ACI).

Espinoza had called for an investigation by the Environmental Management Bureau Central Visayas (EMB 7) as he accused g PWS of failing to comply with an amended Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and lacking a pollution control officer.

PWS debunked Espinoza’s allegations, asserting that its pollution control officer (PCO) is accredited by EMB-7 and holds a valid certificate through July 2026.

The company also noted that it had submitted the compliance monitoring report for July to December 2023 through the accredited PCO.

Additionally, PWS explained that it had completed all requirements for the landfill's ownership transfer, except for a request letter from Espinoza and the previous shareholders, which had delayed the process.

The company expressed frustration with what it described as "misleading and malicious" statements from Espinoza.

In a related development, Barangay Captain Ares Balaba Jr. of Panoypoy, Consolacion, has raised concerns about the landfill’s impact on local water resources.

Balaba reported that residents are complaining about contaminated water, which they attribute to the landfill.

He has sought assistance from Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia to address this issue, as locals are now forced to purchase water due to contamination.

To address these issues, the Cebu City Council has scheduled an executive session for September 3.

The session will involve discussions with PWS officials, representatives from local subdivisions, the Binaliw barangay council, EMB 7, and other relevant city departments.(MyTVCebu)