News

Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Inc. (PWS) on Wednesday called out recent statements made by former ARN Central Waste Management Inc. (ACI) shareholders as “misleading and malicious.” PWS acquired ACI and its waste facility in Barangay Binaliw, Cebu City in 2022, with a commitment to implement a transformation strategy that would upgrade the site to a modern resource recovery facility.

Claims made by former ACI shareholders led by Mr. Arnold Espinoza raise questions, especially considering that they operated the landfill for three years, receiving complaints related to compliance to environmental laws.

With regards to the appointment of a Pollution Control Officer (PCO), PWS has a PCO officially accredited by the Environmental Management Bureau Region 7 (EMB-7). PWS will be more than pleased to provide a copy of our PCO’s certificate valid through July 2026.

PWS Cebu, through its accredited PCO, has also submitted its compliance monitoring report for the period of July to December 2023, contrary to the allegation.

On the transfer of ownership, PWS would like to point out that under EMB Memorandum Circular No. 2021-05, the transfer or change requires a letter of request from the original holder of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), in this case, the previous leadership of ACI through Mr. Espinoza.

PWS Cebu is already complete with the requirements for the transfer of ownership except for the one request letter that needs to come from Mr. Espinoza and the former shareholders. To date, no request letter has been issued which makes the process difficult to undertake for PWS.

PWS is currently studying the option of pursuing legal action against Mr. Espinoza and the other former shareholders.

Since 2022, PWS has implemented significant upgrades in its Cebu facility operations, in line with its objective to minimize landfilled waste to 20 percent or less.

PWS uses state-of-the-art equipment from Europe and Asia such as vibrating sieves, baler systems, magnetic separators, as well as air density separator to maximize resource recovery.

Another significant improvement underway is a new Wastewater Treatment Facility, which upon completion by September, can treat a large volume of wastewater beyond the site’s operations. This will enhance PWS’ capability to eventually offer wastewater treatment services to other customers.

Alongside physical upgrades to the facility, PWS has generated job opportunities for the local community and has ensured the health and safety of the workers which include providing personal protective equipment while on duty.

Such transformational strategy implemented since 2022 casts doubt on the credibility of former ACI shareholders, given that PWS is effectively running a proper and modern waste management facility that prioritizes the environment, as well as the health of workers and communities.

PWS also actively works with the DENR and EMB for the continuous upgrading of the site, underscoring its commitment to work hand in hand with the government in fully adhering to environmental standards while creating huge positive impacts to the communities it serves.