The Malabon City government on Wednesday, Jan.8, has clarified the terms of the terminated contract with the Metro Waste Solid Waste Management Corporation (MWSWMC).
According to the city government, the contract was terminated in 2024 after the waste management failed to collect trash in the city.
The city government made the clarification after reports circulated on social media about the alleged failure of the city government to pay the MWSWMC for its services, which has affected the timely release of salaries of its employees.
"Kalinisan at kaayusan ng bawat lugar sa Malabon ang ating magagawa. At kasabay nito, ay sinusunod natin ng tama ang mga nakapaloob sa mga batas at kasunduan. Lalo na sa mga ganitong usapin. Kaya sana lahat tayo ay buong pusong tumupad sa ating tungkulin. Alam natin kung gaano kaimportante ang mga bagay na ito at makasiguro po kayo sa ating Lungsod, kalusugan, at pag-unlad ng mga Malabueno ang una (Cleanliness and order of every place in Malabon is what we can do. And at the same time, we correctly follow the contents of the laws and agreements. Especially in matters like this. So I hope we all fulfill our duty wholeheartedly. We know how important these things are and you can make sure that our City, health, and development of the Malabuenos are the first)," Mayor Jeannie Sandoval said.
Officer-in-Charge of the City Legal Department (CLD) Luis Armando Enemido said the payments for the salaries of garbage collectors are not part of the city's obligations under its contract with MWSWMC.
“Tungkol sa paggamit hindi pagpapasahod ng MWSWMC sa kanilang mga empleyado, malinaw na labas ang City Government of Malabon dito. Wala sa anumang probisyon ng kontrata sa pagitan ng City at Metrowaste ang patungkol sa pagpapasahod sa mga empleyado nito. Ito ay sa pagitan lamang ng Metrowaste at ng kanyang mga empleyado (Regarding the use of MWSWMC not paying their employees, the City Government of Malabon is clearly out of this. There is no provision in the contract between the City and Metrowaste that deals with the wages of its employees. This is solely between Metrowaste and its employees),” he said.
Enemido also clarified that the city government pays MWSWMC based on the contract.
"Tungkol naman sa usapin sa di umano ay hindi nagbabayad sa MWSWMC, ang bayad sa kanila ay nakadepende sa probisyon ng kontrata ng nasabing proyekto. Isa sa konsiderasyon ay kung ang MWSWMC ba ay lumabag sa kanilang obligasyon at tungkulin na nakasaad sa kontrata. Kung maaalala ng lahat, samu't saring reklamo ang natanggap ng metrowaste dahil hindi maayos na pagpapatakbo ng kanilang transfer station na inihain ng mga nakakasakop na residente sa DENR at sa City Government (As for the matter of those who allegedly did not pay MWSWMC, their payment depends on the contract provision of the said project. One of the considerations is whether the MWSWMC breached their obligations and duties as stated in the contract. If everyone remembers, Metrowaste received various complaints because of the improper operation of their transfer station filed by the covered residents with the DENR and the City Government)," he said.
"Dahil dito, nagpapaliwanag ang City Government at iutos ang pagsasaayos nito. Ngunit, sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, hindi nakatugon ang nasabing contractor, dahilan upang tapusin na ang kontrata sa Metrowaste. Nakakalungkot man, pero hindi ito dapat isantabi lamang (Because of this, the City Government explains and orders its renovation. But, despite all this, the said contractor did not respond, causing the contract with Metrowaste to be terminated. It is unfortunate, but it should not be set aside),” he added.
Last September, the city government issued a cease and desist order against MWSMC for its use of the Malabon Transfer Facility after the corporation's improper use of the area caused foul odor and other concerns to residents.
The local government said investigations showed that stockpiles of unsegregated waste were dumped on the ground in the area, a clear violation of their agreement.
They also received reports of delays in the collection of garbage dumped on roads and streets in communities, especially after the Typhoon Karina.
The city government has contacted MWSWMC several times regarding the concern but no response was received from them.
CLD said the corporation later pre-terminated its contract, which led to the full termination of the agreement.
Meanwhile, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) partnered with another waste management firm for garbage hauling operations in different barangays.