A consortium led by International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists Inc. (I-SWIMS) took over garbage collection and disposal operations in Bacolod City starting today, January 1.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said he has high hopes for the new partnership, stating that the agreement is intended to be a definitive solution to the city’s long-standing garbage collection problems.
A total cleanup operation of the remaining garbage is currently underway to ensure the city starts the New Year on a fresh slate, the mayor said.
The mayor also called on the public to play an active role in this transition by observing proper waste management and disposal practices, emphasizing that community cooperation is vital to the success of the city’s improved environmental programs.
The new service provider, which includes partners D.C. Sandil Construction and Realty Development Inc. and San Igmedio Builders Incorporated, was awarded a P327.9 million contract for hauling and collection, alongside an additional P109 million contract for the environmental and sanitary maintenance of the landfill in Barangay Felisa.
Both contracts are set to run through December of this year.
In response to the significant volume of uncollected waste left behind by the previous contractor, ISWIM has immediately deployed a fleet of compactors, dump trucks, and strategic waste bins across affected areas, a Bacolod City government statement said.
The consortium expressed confidence that this surge in equipment will allow them to address and drastically reduce the existing backlog within the first week of operations.
This mobilization marks the beginning of a year-long effort to stabilize the city’s waste management infrastructure and improve overall cleanliness, the statement said.
I-SWIMS currently serves 18 local government units nationwide, including Bacolod City, and is eyeing further expansion in nearby LGUs in Negros Occidental.*