By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to furnish a copy of the results of the ocular inspection conducted at the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa.

Councilor Homer Bais, chairperson of the SP committee on environment and ecology, said the DENR-EMB acted on the complaints of Barangay Felisa residents by conducting an ocular inspection regarding the stench emanating from the water pond in Cell No. 4.

Water samples were collected from the upstream, midstream and downstream areas in the landfill extending toward the boundary of Murcia.

The SP will convene a committee conference next week with garbage hauler, International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists Inc. (I-SWIMS), the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (Benro), the City Legal Office, and the City Engineer’s Office to address the complaints raised by the residents.

Earlier, Barangay Felisa Captain Francisco Hilado asked Benro and I-SWIMS to address the foul odor coming from the landfill and the waste collection trucks.

Hilado raised concerns about the persistent foul odor emanating from the sanitary landfill and from waste collection trucks passing through and operating within the barangay.

“Residents have repeatedly expressed concerns regarding the unpleasant odor, which affects the comfort, health and well-being of our constituents, particularly those residing near the routes used by garbage trucks,” Hilado said.

He added that some waste collection vehicles have reportedly not been regularly washed or properly sanitized, resulting in foul odors and the possible spillage of leachate along public roads.

Moreover, Bais said the committee will ask Benro to submit its assessment of I-SWIMS’ performance over the past six months, particularly in garbage collection and the management of the city’s sanitary landfill./MAP, WDJ