WTE realization remains 'open', say city officials

The doors toward the realization of the Waste-to-Energy (WTE) facility remain open despite top officials of Cebu City acknowledging the growing opposition of Binaliw residents to the project and the continued use of the landfill.

- Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/IHM

This comes as both officials, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival and Councilor Joel Garganera, see WTE as a long-term solution to the city's garbage crisis.

Archival's remarks came in response to a signature campaign launched in Barangay Binaliw over the weekend, where residents demanded justice and accountability following the tragic trash slide that claimed 36 lives, injured 18 others, and even took the life of a rescuer.

The campaign also voiced strong rejection of WTE, reflecting the community's deep mistrust of new waste technologies after the disaster that happened in their own community.

"Well, that is their right... I sympathize with them ug unsay ilang gibati considering nga bag-o lang gyud bitaw siya na igo sila didto. Sila man gyuy naapektuhan," Archival said.

While expressing sympathy, he clarified: "I'm not against WTE, ug unsay aprobahan sa mga national agencies nga angay, well, I will just go with it...I don't have problems with that."

He, however, added that no formal proposal for a WTE project in Binaliw has reached his office.

Civil society groups have joined residents in calling for justice and accountability.