- 1 day ago
WOULD YOU SEND YOUR GARBAGE BACK TO BINALIW TODAY?
SHOULD CEBUANOS STILL ACCEPT FLOODING AS PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE?
Two questions. Two long-standing problems. One bigger question:
Are these still disasters—or are they already problems of governance, planning, and accountability?
From the proposed reopening of Binaliw Landfill to calls for the revival of the 2017 Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage Systems Master Plan, we take a closer look at the decisions, plans, and solutions that could shape Cebu’s future.
📺 Beyond the Headlines
Look Deeper. Think Better.
SHOULD CEBUANOS STILL ACCEPT FLOODING AS PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE?
Two questions. Two long-standing problems. One bigger question:
Are these still disasters—or are they already problems of governance, planning, and accountability?
From the proposed reopening of Binaliw Landfill to calls for the revival of the 2017 Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage Systems Master Plan, we take a closer look at the decisions, plans, and solutions that could shape Cebu’s future.
📺 Beyond the Headlines
Look Deeper. Think Better.
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NewsTranscript
00:59Then, everything else.
01:02Good afternoon and welcome to Beyond the Headlines.
01:05I'm DJ Moises and today's conversation is brought to us by Coffee First.
01:10Would you send your garbage back to Binalio?
01:14Should Cebuano still accept flooding as part of everyday life?
01:18Are these still considered disasters?
01:21Or should we relabel them already as governance problems?
01:27Our first story takes us to the problem that Cebu City has been struggling with for months or even almost
01:36a year.
01:37What to do with the city's garbage?
01:39Our second story is another problem Cebuano's know all too well.
01:44Flooding.
01:46Look deeper. Think better.
01:49Let's begin.
01:50Mayor Nestor Archival questioned why the privately operated Binalio landfill continues to accept waste from private howlers
02:00while refusing to receive garbage from the Cebu City government even as the city scrumbles for alternatives and its lingering
02:09waste crisis.
02:10The cost has increased significantly.
02:14Cebu City previously spent roughly $500 million a year for waste disposal.
02:20With garbage now being hauled to Aluginsan, the annual cost has been projected at up to $1.2 billion.
02:29Pesos, more than double the previous level.
02:34Mayor Archival is both an environmentalist and an engineer.
02:38Is the issue only about costs?
02:42What about environmental compliance?
02:45Is there already a result that Binalio has already complied with the ENR requirements?
02:52With 600 to 700 tons of waste every day, can we be assured that the new cell will not become
03:01another dump site, which is illegal?
03:05What about the result of the investigation on the 36 people who died on January 8th during its collapse?
03:14Prime Integrated Waste Solution, the operator of the landfill, has been part of that scrutiny.
03:21So when we talk about reopening Binalio because it is cheaper and closer,
03:28what exactly has changed at the facility to ensure the public that we are not simply returning to the conditions
03:35that existed before January 8th?
03:39So it's one of the items that we could see right now on Sunstar News.
03:45And my first comment about this is, personally, I'm actually surprised every time I would hear our mayor asking when
03:59the city could actually throw the garbage back to Binalio instead of Aluginsan.
04:07And actually, it's a good question to ask, considering that in the intro, we learned and we continue to learn
04:18that the cost of hauling the garbage from Cebu City to Aluginsan,
04:26because it's farther compared to Binalio, ang cost niya has ballooned, no?
04:32From the original amount of about 500 million pesos annually, ni tubo siya into, it's projected up to 1.2
04:43billion pesos annually, so more than double.
04:45So it's a valid question to ask, kayo, mas mahal gin kayo, no?
04:50To bring the garbage to Aluginsan instead of just here, no?
04:54In Cebu City.
04:55So it's a legitimate concern.
04:57But, ang question lang ako, for the mayor to be an environmentalist, nganong dili appeal sa iya ang panguta na
05:09kung unsapod ang nakabutang na plano, long-term solutions that's also environmentally compliant.
05:17Because as we speak, 36 people actually died in Binalio, and this happened in January 8th.
05:28Prime Integrated Waste Solution, the operator of Binalio, was part of those who needed to be investigated.
05:37In fact, they are at the core of the investigation.
05:41So, nganong ni pangutana na ta, kanun sa ta makalabay sa Binalio, but we're not asking the question, kumusta na
05:49ang investigation sa katong 36 people who actually died?
05:54Nganong dili siya appeal sa pangutana.
05:56And then, I also understand, no?
05:59Nga, it's a valid question to ask, kanun sa pwede makalabay sa Binalio, no?
06:03It's not a bad question.
06:04But ang question sa dina ko, kumusta naman po ang cell that will receive the garbage?
06:11Because as we know, Cebu actually is producing 700 tons every day.
06:18So that means, kung gamayra ni siya ng cell, it's very likely for it eventually to become a dump site
06:26instead of a landfill.
06:27Now, we saw that pattern already in Inayawan.
06:30We saw that pattern also in Binalio, no?
06:33The first area in Binalio that led to the collapse.
06:37So, kung ato siyang i-reopen, I was actually hoping that part of the consideration that the mayor is actually
06:43discussing is,
06:45kumusta ang new cell given, engineer sa dina nga to ang mayor, no?
06:49So, I trust he's very good with math, no?
06:51Kumusta nga, if we throw garbage 700 tons every day, kanun sa mapuno ang iaang capacity sa new cell?
06:58Nga mahimu na pwede ni siyang dump site instead of a landfill.
07:03So, the question here actually is, it's not just about cost, no?
07:08I get the part.
07:09But I think part of the question is, kumusta ang investigation sa 36 lives that died on January 8th?
07:18And then, kumusta ang ato ang environmental compliance, no?
07:25Because aside from the cost, safety of people and environmental compliance are also fundamental principles that need to be met,
07:37no?
07:37Before we even consider reopening back Binalio so that the city can dump again 700 tons of waste every day,
07:47no?
07:47So, yes, howling the garbage to Aluginsan is expensive, but I think the lower cost could not also compensate, no?
07:58To the damage that it could potentially bring to the environment and the damage also that it put,
08:06or the risk that it would potentially bring more lives to danger.
08:11So, to close this part of the commentary, I think the mayor and even Kita Nga Everyday Sebuano should not
08:17only be asking the question,
08:19when can Binalio reopen?
08:22I think the better question to ask is, what did we learn from the 36 lives that were lost?
08:30What has been fixed, what has been fixed, what has been improved, and what has been independently verified, and who
08:41was made accountable, no?
08:44Because as we always say, no, if we continue to do what we are doing, we will continue to get
08:52what we are getting.
08:54And so, if we continue this kind of thinking, then years from now, or months from now, the same disaster
09:02that happened in Binalio is bound to happen again.
09:07So, now that's the first story, which is on garbage, let's move to the second story, which is about flooding.
09:16This is slightly good news, actually.
09:18So, Cebu is now dusting off the 2017 Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage System Master Plan designed to address
09:29chronic urban flooding with the Department of Public Works and Highways,
09:35looking at interconnected drainage system, pumping station, floodgates, and other interventions, starting with six critical flood-prone areas in Mandawai
09:46City.
09:47The plan is almost a decade old.
09:50If we already knew the problem and had a plan almost a decade ago, why are we still flooding?
09:58And what will make this time different?
10:01On the phone is the Vice Governor of the Province of Cebu, Glenn Soko.
10:08And he would refresh us again on what the 2017 Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage System Master Plan.
10:19So, good afternoon, Vice Gov.
10:22Good afternoon, DJ.
10:23And good afternoon to your listeners.
10:25May hapon.
10:25Yes, thank you for joining us.
10:27I know that we have had conversations of this, Vice Gov, but at least for the benefit of our viewers
10:33who may have already forgotten bits and pieces of the 2017 Master Plan,
10:40can you tell us again, in a nutshell, why this is still valid and why this is still the closest
10:47solution that we have to flooding in Metro Cebu?
10:52Well, we will never stop pushing for this plan, DJ, no?
10:57This is a plan that was presented by DPWH in 2017.
11:04And it was a plan that was done by private experts and commissioned by the national agencies called out from
11:16the Japanese International Cooperation Agency Roadmap Study
11:21that defines or projects flooding that will happen from Danau to Karkar.
11:30So, we have this plan.
11:32It is comprehensive, it is applicable, and it is really very effective if implemented properly.
11:43Now, we started the implementation as budgeted by the national government through DPWH in 2018 and 2019.
11:54It got initial funding and then wala na'y funding after that, no?
11:57So, Karun, we're pushing it again, and as I have said, we will never stop pushing for it.
12:04And for the benefit of our viewers, Vice Gov, because you mentioned that it is comprehensive,
12:10and you also mentioned that the coverage is actually from Karkar to Danau.
12:17Can you tell us at least bits and pieces lang, no?
12:20Of what could have been the structural intervention and even non-structural interventions that the 2017 master plan has?
12:30Well, on a nutshell, like structure, I mentioned about structural interventions.
12:35Of course, there is the proposal to build dams, and in the plan, there were eight dams that were identified
12:42for eight rivers, no?
12:44And that can really address flooding within the metro Cebu area.
12:50In fact, Danau and Liloan, which experienced flooding during Baguong Tino, there was really a plan to put up a
13:00dam.
13:01Because to address flooding, DJ, the plan really suggests that you do interventions more on the upstream, other than doing
13:11it also in the downstream.
13:13So, structural also means managing of the rivers, expanding the rivers, enforcement of the easements, and others.
13:27So, to talk about non-structural, there is also the proposal to do policy on rainwater catchments, rainwater harvesting, and
13:41even garbage.
13:43Management, no?
13:44So, kanita ng integrated ginis siya and comprehensive, no?
13:49And it's also laid down on how to do it on a per agency.
13:56Murabi tiwag nag-follow ka step by step ba?
13:59Step one, step two, step three.
14:01We have seen already some of the successes for the 2018 and 2019 flooding.
14:07If you notice, in Cebu City, there is that widening already of the outfall, which is the...
14:16Beside SM, there's already a widened outfall.
14:19And that would have...
14:21That is to be continued going upstream.
14:24So, hopefully, that will be brought back to the table again, together with other rivers, beginning in the metro area,
14:39going outwards, or even going from starting up outwards, going inwards.
14:44And actually, ViceGov, personally, I'm glad that DPWH is once again reopening the conversation of a possible implementation of the
14:542017 master plan.
14:57Karoon ba, ViceGov, because I think we've also been seeing news that the budget for 2027 has already been, not
15:06finalized, but at least it's already nearing actual completion for it to eventually be approved by the Senate, no?
15:15What are your hopes, man, ViceGov, that this time around, funding would truly be allocated, no?
15:26Specific to the 2017 master plan?
15:30My assurance is that there will be national government funding.
15:38The DPWH has...
15:40Well, Secretary Vince has consistently visited the province and has mentioned about interventions.
15:48Katong dams will already be part of what he has presented.
15:52But I have proposed to the provincial government, to the governor, that we create a task force to monitor or
16:02to follow through on this master plan.
16:06And we had just had our first meeting about two weeks ago, and I proposed to the body that other
16:13than just waiting for national government funding,
16:17the provincial government and even the local government, the component local government units,
16:22can actually do already the interventions that lay down on the plan using our own resources.
16:32There are no hanging fruits in the plans that can be done immediately, no?
16:40Without the need for waiting for national government intervention.
16:45Okay, thank you very much, ViceGov, no?
16:48For making time for today's conversation.
16:52Well, thank you.
16:52Thank you, DJ.
16:53And dagang salamat kayo sa inyong mga ating paminaw.
16:56Thank you, ViceGov.
16:58So, that's Vice Governor Glenn Soko of the province of Cebu.
17:02And if we also recall, Vice Governor Glenn Soko also was a past president of Mandawi Chamber of Commerce.
17:10And so, he is also very well aware about how this plan could also help Metro Cebu with its flooding
17:18and drainage issue.
17:19And just before we close this particular conversation and eventually today's episode, he mentioned about the funding.
17:28And reports would actually tell us that in November of 2025, Metro Cebu flood program was approximately quoted as worth
17:3833 billion pesos.
17:41And if we go back to our previous episode, for the past six years, 60 billion pesos were poured, no?
17:47For the past six years for flood control in Cebu.
17:52So, just my final commentary on this, if katong 60 billion ba, instead of gibutang natutusya sa mga seawall, sa
18:00mga sides, or isolated approach, no?
18:02In terms of curbing the flood issue in the province of Cebu, or the entire island of Cebu, sayang, no?
18:11Because we could have just poured it into the 2017 Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage System Master Plan.
18:22And we could have been already underway, no?
18:25To a permanent solution to the problem.
18:29So, I would still have to ask, ngang anong wala to siya na-implement?
18:33And then, kung nipurta o 60 billion pesos, ngang anong wala siya na-align to the master plan, no?
18:40So, will 2026 be finally the year, no?
18:45That Metro Cebu will see the solution happening to our perennial flood issue?
18:53And I hope, no?
18:55That this year finally is the year.
18:58So, we have two stories today.
19:00Garbage and flooding.
19:02They seem to be different problems, but they have one common lesson.
19:08Temporary fixes can only take us so far.
19:12At this point, we have to ask whether we are solving garbage and flooding,
19:18or are we simply managing them as part of everyday life?
19:23Which, to me, is very sad if we are, no?
19:26So, when will we finally make sure that the same crisis doesn't keep happening back tomorrow?
19:33And for those of our leaders, no?
19:36Especially for those who have decision, authority, and influence,
19:41hopefully, we get to focus more, no?
19:44On long-term solutions rather than isolated fixes, no?
19:49Otherwise, I will have to borrow what the president said, no?
19:53Mahiya naman kayo.
19:54So, I'm DJ Moises.
19:56Shout out to Coffee First for supporting conversations that matter.
19:59Let's continue to look deeper and think better.
20:03This is Beyond the Headlines.
20:05Have a good afternoon.
20:06Okay.
20:11It starts with a fresh shot of espresso.
20:15Bold.
20:16Rich.
20:17Bold.
20:18Just right.
20:20Then comes the milk.
20:22Steamed smooth.
20:24Creamy.
20:24And balanced.
20:26The perfect latte is not brushed.
20:28It is crafted one cup at a time.
20:32Your perfect latte is ready.
20:35Coffee first.
20:36Then, everything else.
20:40Time for another voice.
20:41I'll see you on cred in this one.
20:41Thanks.
20:54I'm glad you set up.
20:56Everyone in the next one.
20:57I wanna see you next time.
20:58We'll see you next time.
20:59Bye.
20:59Bye.
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