PASIG Mayor Robert Eusebio on Monday urged the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to seek legal remedies to stop the drastic increase in garbage dumping fees imposed by the Rodriguez, Rizal, local government for the use of the sanitary landfill in that place.

“The MMDA should take legal means, like seeking a TRO [temporary restraining order],” Eusebio told reporters in an interview, after members of the Solid Waste Contractors Association of the Philippines (Swacap) told the MMDA that they will be forced to increase the fees collected from local governments in Metro Manila unless the Rodriguez local government is stopped from collecting higher fees.

The metropolis, with an estimated population of 10 million, generates some 8,000 tons of garbage daily.  

Swacap reported to MMDA General Manager Robert Nacianceno that Rodriguez Mayor Pedro Cuerpo had approved the increase of various fees levied on trucks using the landfill.           

The tipping fee alone that was pegged at P439 was increased to P695 in June, and to P895 on July 16.

In addition, Cuerpo announced late last month that the town government will impose a P200-per-ton increase, or from P400 per ton to P600 per ton, of garbage dumped in the landfill. This is in addition to the tipping fee of P895 per truck.

“That [increase in fees] is too much for the [Metro Manila] local governments to shoulder, and I think the local government of Rodriguez should also consider the effect of their move on us,” Eusebio added.

He added that Cuerpo did not give Metro Manila mayors an inkling that he was planning to raise the various fees collected for dumping garbage in the Rodriguez landfill.

“The Rodriguez local government did not even provide the MMDA and the mayors a copy of the approved ordinance increasing the garbage dumping fees,” he added.

The MMDA, meanwhile, said that garbage contractors have warned of an increase of P735 million annually, or P61.30 million per month.

PRESIDENT Arroyo on Monday warned terrorists that they face annihilation if they hurt any members of a medical team she had dispatched to Basilan to treat wounded soldiers and conduct free clinics for residents.

AN alleged attempt to bomb SM malls in Metro Manila by the Jema’ah Islamiyah (JI) was foiled over the weekend following the arrest of one of its members.

PASIG Mayor Robert Eusebio on Monday urged the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to seek legal remedies to stop the drastic increase in garbage dumping fees imposed by the Rodriguez, Rizal, local government for the use of the sanitary landfill in that place.

A MILITANT legislator wants Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes investigated over the US$1.3-million alleged “midnight deal” he signed before leaving the Department of Environment and Natural Resources last week, an act the congressman said is another case of corruption involving a high-profile government official.

Oillink International Corp.’s depot in Mariveles, Bataan, would have to remain closed after the Bureau of Customs (BOC) scored a preliminary victory following the Court of Tax Appeals’ (CTA) lifting of the temporary restraining order (TRO) that it earlier issued to the petroleum company.

THE government could lose control over the proceeds and development of the oil and gas prospects along the Reed Bank, should it proceed to explore and develop the block with its tripartite partners China and Vietnam instead of allowing a British-based petroleum player to proceed with its work in the area.