Parañaque City Mayor Eric L. Olivarez announced on Sunday, Jan. 15, that he ordered an investigation on the reported “malicious and deliberate” acts by city’s former garbage hauling contractor.
Olivarez said he received reports that water and electrical facilities, as well as the sewage treatment plant (STP) in the city’s garbage transfer station along C5 road, were disabled by the previous contractor which prevented the trash processing.
He said it resulted in trash pileups when the new contractor took over on Jan. 1.
Some garbage piled up during Christmas as the former contractor allegedly started pulling out personnel and trucks as mentioned in the reports and complaints received by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).
The pileups said to be worsened around New Year when people traditionally prepare more food which generated more trash.
The former contractor also had reportedly stopped collecting trash.
“We were ready for an efficient and orderly transition in garbage hauling,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, there have been acts that are beyond our control, but we promise to look into this matter and find out who is really responsible.”
“These are very serious allegations, and we will send the previous contractor a letter asking for an explanation,” Olivarez stated.
Olivarez said despite the incident, the city’s garbage collection has already returned to normal.
He added that there are no more pileups in the streets and even inside subdivisions and communities.
The local chief executive also thanked the city’s 16 barangay chairpersons for their support and cooperation, saying it helped in solving the problem.
“We really appreciate the help of our barangay officials because they went above and beyond their mandates to ensure that our communities are clean and our constituents safe and healthy,” the mayor added.