Garbage contractor refutes Lacuna, claims Manila hasn’t paid P561 million

January 6, 2025 , 05:21 PM

By Gabriel Kim Leal

(January 6, 2024) – A garbage contractor on Monday denied allegations that it abandoned its waste collection duties in Manila during the holiday season.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna accused Leonel Waste Management Corp. of halting trash collection before the expiration of its service agreement on December 31. She said this contributed to a 400% increase in waste during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“We strongly refute this accusation, which grossly undermines the hard work and efforts of all our garbage collectors,” said Leonel Waste Management Corp. in a statement.

It maintained that it mandated its employees on December 23 to continue their usual operations until the contract officially ended.

It added that it documented its activities with timestamped photos as proof, adding that residents of Manila “can attest that Leonel did not abandon its duty.”

The statement added that Manila’s debt to the garbage contractor amounts to over P561 million.

“Last September 2024, we met with Mayor Lacuna informing her that we will not participate in the 2025 bidding because of the city’s mounting unpaid obligations to Leonel, in order to give the city enough time to prepare and ensure a smooth transition to the new service provider,” added the statement.

Last month, Manila awarded new contracts worth P842.7 million to two waste companies. MetroWaste Solid Waste Management Corp. secured a P412.9 million contract for Districts 1, 2, and 3, while Phil. Ecology Systems Corp. got a P429.8 million deal for Districts 4, 5, and 6.

Lacuna expressed confidence in the new garbage contractors, saying she expects them to “do a much better job.” She earlier said they are looking into Leonel Waste Management Corp. for possible liability regarding its alleged abandonment of duties.

(PM)

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