A city councilor expressed dismay at the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) for reporting that residents of Barangay Bahile support the planned relocation of the city’s sanitary landfill to their area.
In a privilege speech during the City Council session on September 8, Councilor Elgin Damasco said the report presented in a committee meeting was not true.
“Walang katotohanan ang ulat ng City ENRO sa kanilang committee meeting dahil personal niya umanong pinuntahan ang lugar at nakipagpulong sa mga residente doon kung saan lahat ay tutol sa planong ito ng city government,” he said.
The City ENRO earlier claimed that a public consultation had been conducted and that barangay officials had endorsed the project.
But Damasco countered this, citing his direct discussions with residents who opposed the landfill relocation.
He also noted that Barangay Captain Dennis Borromeo clarified the resolution being cited by the City ENRO.
“Ang resolusyon na binabanggit ng City ENRO na ipinasa noon pang taong 2018 ay nagsasaad ng hangarin ng barangay na i-preserba ang bahagi ng kanilang watershed laban sa mga nais pumasok na ‘squatter’ at hindi bilang pag-endorso sa proyekto,” Borromeo explained.
The issue is expected to be further deliberated by the City Council’s Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in the coming sessions.
Puerto Princesa’s landfill in Barangay Sta. Lourdes, in use since 2005, is nearing its capacity.
It reported in December 2024 that the city collected an average of 180 tons of garbage daily, slightly lower than the 189 tons recorded in 2023.
But despite this drop, officials admitted that the system continues to face serious problems tied to budget cuts, inadequate resources, and weak compliance at the barangay level.
