• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Victorias City government withdrew July 8 its request to temporarily dispose of its residual waste at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, Bacolod City, following opposition from Bacolodnons and environmental groups.
“Nabatian ko ang tingog sang mga Bacolodnon, labi na gid ang mga pumuluyo sang Barangay Felisa. Ila ina nga lugar, kag may kinamatarung sila nga ipabutyag ang ila kabalaka,” Mayor Abelardo “JunB” Bantug III said in a post yesterday afternoon.
“Our request was legal and small, but I will not allow it to become a source of conflict between two cities that have long been like brothers. Mas importante sa akon ang relasyon sang Victorias kag Bacolod sang sa bisan ano nga kahapusan,” he added.
Mayor Greg Gasataya confirmed Victorias’ decision to withdraw the request during his first State of the City Address, adding he hopes this will not affect the relationship of the two cities.
Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, in a statement last night, said he fully supports Mayor JunB’s decision to withdraw the request. “The request was legal, temporary, gamay lang gid ang volume, kag ordinaryo ini nga ginahimu sang nagkalain-lain nga LGU sa aton probinsya. Pero ginakilala man naton ang ginabatyag sang mga Bacolodnon, kag valid gid ini.”
Benitez, former mayor of Victorias, added, “Victorias and Bacolod have always been family. Indi naton pagtugutan nga magpatunga ang indi pag-intyendihanay sa duha ka syudad tungod gid lang sa isa ka request nga natapos na.”
The Negrosanon Initiative for Climate and the Environment and Zero Waste Alliance Negros, meanwhile, commended the Victorias LGU for listening to the call of Bacolodnons, especially the residents of Brgy. Felisa.
“Victorias City’s withdrawal of its request to dispose of residual waste in Bacolod is a testament to what citizens can achieve when they stand together for what is right. Our campaign showed that public participation is not merely symbolic—it has the power to influence decisions and protect communities,” the two environmental groups said in a joint statement.
The people of Barangay Felisa, whose voices, lived experiences, and unwavering courage brought much-needed attention to the realities surrounding the sanitary landfill, the groups added. “Their persistence in speaking out strengthened this campaign and reminded us that those most affected must be heard and prioritized in public decision-making. | CGC
