Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has announced that the temporary garbage transfer station located near the South Road Properties' (SRP) Pond A is now under control, with a significant reduction in foul odor complaints. During a press briefing held on Monday, March 23, 2026, Archival emphasized that the City Government's waste handling system at this site is functioning without any major issues.
Improved Operations and Nightly Hauling
Archival stated, "So far, it's okay. There are no more complaints about the smell. We are able to clear the garbage every night." He explained that nightly hauling operations are effectively managing the City Government's daily waste output, which amounts to approximately 500 tons. Personnel transport garbage out of the SRP facility during nighttime hours, ensuring the area is cleared by morning.
"Nightly hauling is effective because this is already our normal volume. We generate about 500 tons of garbage daily, and the transfer station is able to handle that amount," Archival added. He attributed previous odor issues to uncollected waste that had accumulated over earlier months. "Before, garbage piled up, which caused the foul smell. But now that we are hauling regularly every night, the situation has improved."
Background and Interim Measures
The City Government converted the SRP Pond A site into a temporary transfer station following a tragic garbage landslide at the Barangay Binaliw, Talamban landfill on January 8, which resulted in 36 fatalities and halted dumping operations. This closure left Cebu City without a primary disposal site, compelling officials to seek alternative solutions.
As an interim measure, garbage is now brought to the SRP transfer station before being hauled to a disposal facility in Aloguinsan, Cebu, located 61 kilometers away. This longer distance has led to increased fuel consumption and higher operational costs. Despite these challenges, Archival noted that the City Government is refining its system to ensure efficient collection and transportation of garbage while minimizing inconvenience to nearby communities.
Environmental Management Bureau Disapproval
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 previously disapproved the use of a portion of the SRP near Pond A as a temporary waste holding area. In a letter dated January 15, then EMB 7 director Ma. Victoria Abrera informed Cebu City Administrator Albert Tan that the agency rejected the City Government's request.
The agency cited that the site failed to meet mandatory requirements under Republic Act (RA) 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Key concerns included the site's proximity to Pond A, with warnings about environmental standards prohibiting waste facilities near water bodies due to risks of contamination and leachate seepage. Additionally, the EMB noted that the SRP is not zoned for waste handling and lacks land-use compliance for transfer stations under Section 25 of RA 9003.
Operational concerns were also raised, such as the site's closeness to public spaces and the lack of assurance that waste would not be stored for more than 24 hours.
Continued Use and Regulatory Challenges
Despite the disapproval, the City Government continued to use the SRP site after EMB 7 Director John Edward Ang replaced Abrera. In a compliance monitoring report dated February 16, following an inspection on January 21, EMB 7 flagged several environmental issues at the site. These included mixed municipal waste, absent impermeable liners and leachate collection systems, and a lack of odor and vector control measures.
The EMB 7 urged the City Government to cease waste storage at the site, expedite garbage transfer to an authorized sanitary landfill, establish a compliant transfer station, and strengthen barangay waste segregation efforts. In response, Archival sent a letter dated February 20, stating that the City Government had arranged for waste transfer to Aloguinsan to minimize environmental impact. The City Government also directed barangays to enforce waste segregation at the source to reduce residual waste.
The situation was further complicated when a private facility in Consolacion stopped accepting the City Government's garbage. Despite these regulatory and operational hurdles, city officials maintain that the SRP system serves as a temporary solution while long-term measures are explored.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans
In an earlier interview, Mayor Archival mentioned that documents from the DENR 7 exist but require further review. "I still need to look over the documents now so I can study them further... There were documents, but I still need to review them," he said.
The City Government conducted a cleanup of the SRP on March 15, hauling all dumped garbage. Personnel continue to dispose of waste at the transfer station every night, clearing the area by morning. Meanwhile, the City Government remains actively engaged in searching for an alternative landfill to address long-term waste management needs.
