The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Northern Mindanao (EMB-DENR 10) has issued a cease and desist order to stop the operations of a garbage transfer station in Barangay Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City after it was found operating without the required permit from the agency.

The order, issued on October 8, 2025, directed the city’s new garbage collection contractor to stop operations at its transfer station as it lacked a permit to operate.

Former City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) Head, Engineer Armen Cuenca, explained earlier that the facility was intended to prevent garbage trucks from having to travel directly to the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Pagalungan.

City Councilor Eric Salcedo, chairman of the Committee on Environment, said he will look into the reasons behind the issuance of the CDO.

“Tan-awon nako ngano na-isyuhan siya og show cause order, ngano unya ang show cause order ipa-comply ra man ka ana,” Salcedo said.

Salcedo said that a transfer station does not necessarily require an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) but must still submit other environmental requirements to the EMB-DENR before operating.

Meanwhile, the city government has also fast-tracked the repair of the damaged access road leading to the sanitary landfill to ensure faster and more efficient waste disposal.

“Ang assurance sa ila nga dili gyud na mabaho kay kami nga naa sa pangatungdanan dili mi gusto nga mahitabo kay kung ma-apektahan sila ma-apektahan man pud mi,” Salcedo added.