• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod has authorized Mayor Alfredo Benitez Jan. 22 to sign the contracts of services with IPM Construction and Development Corp. for the collection/hauling and disposal of garbage, and for the operation and maintenance of the sanitary landfill facility in Barangay Felisa.
The twin contracts will take effect from Feb. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.
As per the garbage collection contract, the city government will pay IPM under a weight-based cleanup system in the amount of P303,272,000 for 11 months.
“Monthly payment to the contractor shall be based on the actual tonnage collected per month but total payment for the entire (contract period) must not exceed the maximum collection of 133,600 tons,” the contract states.
Ma. Fe Trespuentes, head of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, said Jan. 21 that under the new contract, IPM will be tasked to increase collection to 400 tons of garbage per day, from the existing 347 tons a day, for a P25 million to P27 million monthly pay.
In the second contract, the city will pay IPM P87,997,250, or a monthly landfill management, operation, and maintenance fee of P7,999,750, inclusive of the value-added tax, and other miscellaneous fees, licenses, and taxes imposed by local and national governments.
Trespuentes had said that IPM was the lone bidder. Its twin contracts last year have also been extended until the end of this month. | CGC
