By NITZ ARANCON
and SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondents
THE city council’s committee on finance and appropriations yesterday approved a P72-million budget proposal for garbage collections in the city next year.
The proposed amount would be used to pay a firm contracted by city hall to collect garbage in the city.
The proposed budget would be endorsed for approval by the city council soon.
The approved budget proposal was P28 million lower than what city local environment and natural resources officer Edwin Dael sought. He had proposed P100 million.
Those who voted to give Dael’s budget proposal the go-ahead were councilors Edna Dahino, Teodulfo Lao Jr., George Goking, Enrico Salcedo, Ian Mark Nacaya, and Jay Pascual.
Dahino, the committee chair, said the city council would be prepared to give more through a supplemental budget if it can be justified.
City budget officer Percy Salazar said P100 million was originally sought so city hall could hire street sweepers.
Salazar said the plan is to outsource the street sweeping services.
The committee gave Dael’s office until Jan. 15 to submit a comprehensive plan and proposal on waste disposal management in the city.
The budget proposal was given the green light a day after councilors raised the problem on garbage collection and proper waste segregation and disposal during their regular session.
Councilor Reuben Daba said Barangays 1, 35, 22, Macasandig, Pagatpat, and Lapasan were setting the example when it comes to waste segregation.
Despite Daba’s observation, there is a need for city hall and barangays to ensure that wastes are properly collected and disposed, said Councilor Enrico Salcedo.
Councilor Zaldy Ocon said the focus should be on the development of a new sanitary landfill. He said once the new city dump is opened, the city’s garbage problem would slowly be addressed.
Councilor Leon Gan said the city’s garbage problem has been worsening for four years. He blamed this on the firm contracted by city hall to collect garbage.
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