Despite the issuance of notices of violation, the Bacolod City government continues to implement measures to ensure compliance with environmental laws and requirements for the operation of the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa.
This was emphasized by City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo during a public hearing Thursday, August 20 facilitated by the Environmental Management Bureau–Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR) for the expansion project involving Cell No. 4 of the sanitary landfill.
The hearing was attended by representatives of civic groups, environmental organizations, barangay officials, and key city departments, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
The public hearing forms part of the requirements for the city’s application for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).
Mayo clarified that when Cell No. 4 was constructed in May 2024, the city engaged a private contractor, International Property Management (IPM), whose contract included the obligation to secure the necessary licenses and permits, including the conversion of the land classification from agricultural to mixed-use.
He said the requirement was only complied with during the administration of Mayor Greg Gasataya as part of the requirements for the ECC application, in line with the mayor’s commitment to improve the condition of the sanitary landfill. This step will subsequently allow the city to fulfill the requirements for Cell No. 5’s ECC.
The EMB-NIR issued a Notice of Violation dated August 10 against the Bacolod LGU for alleged violations of Republic Act 9275, or the Philippine Clean Water Act, concerning water discharged from the landfill, as well as Presidential Decree 1586, or the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, for the operation of Cells No. 4 and 5 without prior issuance of an ECC.*
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