An environmental advocacy group has expressed strong opposition to a proposal allowing Victorias City to dispose of its residual waste at Bacolod City’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, warning that the city cannot afford to become a “dumping site” while managing its own waste issues.
The Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment (NICE) issued a statement following the Bacolod City Solid Waste Management Board’s approval of Victorias City’s request.
The proposal is currently awaiting final approval from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, NICE said.
While acknowledging that inter-LGU cooperation is permitted under Philippine law, NICE argued that such agreements should not compromise the welfare of the host city.
“This proposal raises serious concerns about whether Bacolod is in a position to shoulder an additional waste burden when it continues to face its own growing waste management challenges,” the group said.
“Bacolod City’s priority must be solving its own waste and landfill concerns. Genuine solidarity among local governments should never come at the expense of environmental sustainability”, it said.
The group highlighted ongoing local grievances, noting that residents of Barangay Felisa—where the landfill is located—have recently complained about persistent foul odors that negatively impact their health, sanitation, and overall well-being.
NICE emphasized that expanding landfill usage to outside municipalities undermines internal improvements.
“It is difficult to speak of helping others when our own waste management system still requires urgent attention, stronger investment, and real action,” the statement read.
As the decision moves to the local legislature, the advocacy group urged the Sangguniang Panlungsod to meticulously weigh the long-term environmental, social, and economic consequences before casting their votes.
NICE reiterated that every local government unit holds the primary responsibility to manage its own generated waste and invest in sustainable reduction strategies rather than relying on neighboring cities.
“Bacolod cannot become the answer to another city’s waste problem while its own waste crisis remains unresolved,” the group said.*
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