The Bacolod City Government imposed a P1,068,000 fine on IPM-Construction and Development Corporation (IPM-CDC) on Wednesday, July 30, for violations of its solid waste management contract with the city.
These violations were detailed during a public hearing on Tuesday, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Key infractions cited by City Legal Officer Karol Joseph Chiu included IPM-CDC’s failure to provide promised shredders for the city’s three major public markets, a crucial component for reducing non-biodegradable waste, and restricted access to the GPS tracking system.
“We should ensure IPM’s compliance with the agreement entered into with the city,”. Chiu said, emphasizing the need for proactive waste management strategies.
He also highlighted the critical nature of the GPS system, noting that full access remains restricted despite repeated requests.
IPM-CDC management is scheduled to attend a conference with the City Legal Office on Friday, August 1.
The fine reflects escalating concerns regarding IPM-CDC’s performance, the press release said.
Mayor Greg Gasataya previously urged the company to improve its garbage collection route plan, warning that the contractor must “shape up or ship out.”
Councilor Homer Bais, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Environment and Ecology, noted a decline in IPM-CDC’s daily garbage collection output from 400 tons to 350 tons over the past months.
“We want more transparency in their operations, which the city has the right to invoke”, Bais said.
IPM-CDC’s current P303 million contract with the city, extended earlier this year, remains in effect until Dec. 31, 2025.
Bais will submit a comprehensive committee report outlining his findings and recommendations.*