Rodriguez wants probe on collection of tipping fees for waste disposal

COUNCILOR Jocelyn B. Rodriguez on Monday said provisions of the city’s solid waste management ordinance did not specify the amount to be paid as tipping fee.

This was her reaction to the special report of Councilor John Michael Seno during the regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Raineir Joaquin V. Uy regarding his proposal to revisit and review the provisions of a city ordinance particularly on the imposition of tipping fees for private haulers, companies, and individuals disposing solid waste at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Pagalungan.

Rodriguez cited Section 62 of Ordinance No. 13378-2018, which provides that the CLENRO, in coordination with the City Ecological Solid Waste Management Board shall promulgate the IRR of the ordinance. The draft of the IRR shall be published and be the subject of public consultations with affected sectors, as stipulated in the ordinance.

“What it only mentions is the amount and the procedure of fees shall be defined and provided authorizing the City Local Environment and Natural Resources (CLENRO). So, meaning gi-authorize ang CLENRO to promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR),” Rodriguez stressed.

She also cited Section 63 which provides that the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall undertake a mandatory review of the ordinance at least every five years and as often as it may be deemed necessary, to ensure that policies and guidelines remain responsive to the changing circumstances.

PROCEEDS OF TIPPING FEE COLLECTION

In response to the query of Councilor Rodriguez, Councilor Enrico Salcedo said the proceeds of tipping fee collection go directly to the city, 40-percent of this is given to the Barangay Council of Pagalungan as its income share.

However, Councilor Rodriguez manifested that it was not specified as a source of income in the city’s annual budget. “That’s why I am asking asa nakasulod ang tipping fee?,” she said.

The councilor proposed the amendment of the ordinance, particularly on the tipping fee and the benefits for barangays or private establishments that are hauling and delivering garbage on their own without expense to the city government.

“Malipay kita og dako nga atong katawhan dili magsalig diha sa atong mangagamhan ug hatagan nato sila og exemption sa mga balayronon tungod kay sila na man ang naghipos sa ilang mga basura wala na’y gasto ang syudad,” she pointed out.