Malabon ends trash collector's contract

THE Malabon City government has terminated the service contract of a private trash hauling firm over environmental violations, particularly uncollected garbage.

City Administrator Alexander Rosete on Wednesday told The Manila Times that Mayor Jeannie Sandoval approved the termination of contract with the Metro Waste Solid Waste Management Corp. (MWSWMC) for its reported failure to manage the garbage collection in the city, among other complaints.

Rosete also clarified reports on social media about the city government's alleged failure to pay the MWSWMC for its services, allegedly causing delays in the release of employees' salaries.

Moreover, he said that the local government has not been remiss in paying the private hauler for its services as stipulated in a contract of service.

Acting City Legal Officer Luis Armando Enemido said that under the service contract, the payments for garbage collectors' salaries were not part of the obligations of the local government.

City officials have clarified that delays in the salaries of the hauling firm's employees are solely the MWSWMC's responsibility.

Both Rosete and Enemido said that the city government had given the MWSWMC time to explain and to improve its garbage collection service.

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«It's quite unfortunate but the city government has to act swiftly; that's why we have decided to terminate its services because our priority is the proper management of waste collection and segregation,» Rosete said.

Previously, the city government issued a cease and desist order against MWSWMC for its improper handling of the Malabon Transfer Facility that was the subject of protest by residents in the area due to the foul odor it emitted.

Results of the city environment investigation indicated that heaps of non-segregated household trash were left uncollected in violation of the service agreement.

They also received reports of delays in the collection of garbage piling up by the roadsides, especially after the onslaught of Typhoon Karina.

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Meanwhile, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office said that it partnered with another waste management firm, the Steriplus, for the garbage hauling operations in the