• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) has been directed to submit a performance evaluation of garbage contractor ISWIMS amid ongoing delays in trash collection across the highly-urbanized city.
Councilor Homer Bais, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Environment, asked for BENRO’s six-month assessment of the performance of International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialist Inc. (ISWIMS) after several residents reported missed collection schedules and uncollected waste along neighborhood streets.
“They will evaluate the performance of ISWIMS, especially since we are still receiving numerous complaints, even in my office. We will wait for the report that will be released by the BENRO based on their investigation and assessment,” Bais said.
He noted that ISWIMS has not yet issued an official explanation regarding the skipped routes and attributed part of the delays to an increase in daily waste output.
Since June 2026, the solid waste generated across Bacolod has doubled, exceeding the 800 cubic meters per day baseline, as defined in the city’s contract with ISWIMS.
Bais said they are awaiting the results of the waste analysis and characterization study conducted by SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. to determine the exact volume of waste, and pinpoint where the problem lies.
He said the SP will review both BENRO’s evaluation and the study’s findings to assess compliance with contractual obligations. | TMD
