Garbage has piled up in parts of Angeles City, with residents in some areas reporting missed collections lasting more than a week and, in some cases, up to three weeks.
Concerned resident Mela Ibañez said the situation was unusual for Angeles City and expressed disappointment over the accumulation of garbage.
‘Parang ngayon pa lang po nagkaganyan ang Angeles City, nakakalungkot po,’ Ibañez said.
Jennifer Castro, officer of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), attributed the disruptions to recent weather conditions, temporary shutdowns at the sanitary landfill in Porac, and difficult access to the facility.
‘Aside from the weather we have, [the problem] is because our sanitary landfill closed for several days and only recently reopened,’ Castro said over the weekend.
She said the road leading to the landfill has also been difficult to access.
The landfill was scheduled for another temporary shutdown Friday owing to heavy rains and flooding.
In a memorandum dated August 28, Eco-Protect Management Corp., which manages the sanitary landfill facility, said it would cease operations Friday because of ‘heavy rain and flooded road networks.’ Normal operations and waste acceptance were scheduled to resume Saturday, August 29, at 6:00 a.m.
The latest shutdown follows an earlier temporary closure on August 16 and 17 for maintenance and rehabilitation work on the landfill’s disposal cells and internal road networks, according to Porac’s Joint Inspection Team.
Castro said the city government handles garbage collection along major thoroughfares, while barangays are primarily responsible for collection within their respective areas.
‘Barangays are doing their best, but the problem is external,’ she said.
Castro added that Cenro has been coordinating with barangays on solid waste concerns. At least one barangay has hired a private hauler because of the disruption, Castro said.
She also said barangays submit their schedules to Cenro, but the office cannot confirm whether if are consistently followed.
‘As for the city, we are collecting garbage on a daily basis,’ said Castro.
Backlog remains
CASTRO said continued rain has slowed waste disposal operations. Cenro is coordinating complaints with the concerned barangays, she said.
‘All complaints brought to our office are immediately coordinated with the barangays,’ Castro said.
Cenro said it will provide the barangay garbage collection schedules once they become available.
Residents who experience missed collections are advised to coordinate with their respective barangay, Castro said. Complaints may also be reported to Cenro for referral to the appropriate local authority.