By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

“This is not about a waste-to-energy project nor financial gain.”

This was stressed by Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya after several groups expressed opposition to the proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) allowing the Victorias City government to temporarily dispose of its residual waste at the Barangay Felisa sanitary landfill.

Gasataya said Victorias Mayor Abelardo Bantug III submitted his request letter in November 2025, stating that the city government wanted to execute a MOA with Bacolod for the disposal and management of residual waste.

“This partnership will greatly assist our city in ensuring the waste disposal activities are conducted in an environmentally sound and legally compliant manner. At the same time, we continue to develop our long-term waste management infrastructure,” Bantug said in his letter.

The proposed initiative is in line with the two city governments’ continuing efforts to promote proper waste management and environmental protection pursuant to Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002.

Gasataya said that, based on the MOA, Bacolod will temporarily accommodate a compacted residual waste, about six to eight cubic meters, once a month while waiting for Victorias City’s completion of their sanitary landfill.

He said Victorias City will pay P1,000 per cubic meter of residual waste.

The mayor noted that the Solid Waste Management Board earlier approved the MOA.

Moreover, Vice Mayor Claudio Puentevella said they have already received letters from various organizations in the city regarding the proposal.

Puentevella said they will refer it to the committee on laws and environment, adding that they will give them an opportunity to review it today./MAP, WDJ