News

‘Misleading and malicious’: Prime Waste Cebu slams former owner of Binaliw waste facility

28 August 2024

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.

  • PRIVACY NOTICE


    We at Prime Infrastructure Holdings, Inc. (“Prime Infra”) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy in accordance with applicable data privacy laws and regulations, including the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012, its implementing rules and regulations, issuances of the National Privacy Commission, and other related data protection laws (collectively, the “Privacy Laws”).

    This Privacy Notice sets out the purpose and manner by which Prime Infra collects and processes your personal data you provide us through our Contact Page and the practices and security measures we implement to ensure the protection of your personal information.

    This Privacy Notice was last updated on 20 October 2021. We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Notice from time to time to reflect changing legal requirements or our processing practices. Any such changes will be posted on this website and will be effective upon posting.

    Personal data collected

    When you reach us through any of the avenues provided in our Contact Us page, we collect the following personal data you disclose in your correspondence, such as:

    • 1. Name
    • 2. Contact information (e.g. e-mail address, mobile number, address, etc.)
    • 3. Other personal data you provide.

     

    Prime Infra also uses a third party program for website analytics. When accessing our website, this program only collects the following information:

    • a. Number of unique visitors
    • b. Website traffic sources
    • c. Visitor’s geographic location (country)
    • d. Time spent browsing the website

     

    Purpose and manner of using personal information

    The personal data that we collect are manually and/or electronically used, stored, retained, recorded, or otherwise processed exclusively for purposes of:

    • a. Addressing any correspondence sent to Prime Infra; and
    • b. Any other purpose for which you provided your personal information to Prime Infra through its website.

     

    Inquiries and requests, which may contain personal data, are only disclosed or forwarded to the relevant internal department for appropriate action or response. We do not disclose or share your personal data to any other parties unless (a) you specifically consent to the transfer or sharing of the personal data; or (b) we are legally obligated or ordered by a competent authority to make such disclosure. In such a case, the transfer, sharing, or disclosure of the personal data will be done in accordance with applicable Privacy Laws. You will be notified of such transfer, sharing, or disclosure, and we will take appropriate safeguards to ensure the integrity and protection of the personal information being transferred.

    We will delete the personal data when it is no longer reasonably required for the above purposes or when you withdraw your consent to the processing thereof, provided that we are not legally required or otherwise permitted to continue to hold such personal data. We may retain the personal data for an additional period, to the extent that we deem it necessary to comply with regulatory compliance requirements or assert or defend legal claims during any relevant retention period.

     

    Where we process and store personal information

    We process and store the personal information you disclose only within the Philippines. Should it become necessary for us to store your data in another jurisdiction, we will comply with the requirements under the Privacy Laws.
     

    How we secure and protect personal information

    We take the necessary and appropriate organizational, physical, and technical security measures against the unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, your personal data.

    We also limit access to the personal data to the personnel who require such data in the performance of their functions.

     

    Rights as Data Subjects

    As data subjects, you have the following rights over your personal data

    • a. Right to Be Informed — You have the right to be informed whether the personal data shall be, are being, or have been processed, including whether automated decision-making and profiling will be involved in the processing.
    • b. Right to Object — You can object to processing of your personal data, including processing for direct marketing, automated processing, or profiling.
    • c. Right to Access — You have the right to reasonable access to the following, upon demand:
      i. The contents of your personal data that was processed;
      ii. Sources from which your personal data was obtained;
      iii. Names and addresses of recipients of your personal data;
      iv. The manner by which your personal data was processed;
      v. The reasons for the disclosure of your personal data to third persons, if any;
      vi. Information on automated processes where your personal data will, or is likely to, be
      used as the sole basis for any decision that significantly affects or will affect you;
      vii. Date when your personal data was last accessed and modified; and
      viii. The designation, name or identity, and address of the personal information controller.
    • d. Right to Rectification — You have the right to dispute any inaccuracy or error in your personal
      data, unless the request is vexatious or otherwise unreasonable.
    • e. Right to Erasure or Blocking — You have the right to suspend, withdraw or order the blocking,
      removal or destruction of your personal data from our filing system, under the circumstances
      allowed under Privacy Laws.
    • f. Right to Damages — You have the right to be indemnified for any damages sustained due to such
      inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, false, unlawfully obtained or unauthorized use of your
      personal data, upon a finding by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction that a violation of
      the Privacy Laws has occurred.
    • g. Right to Portability — You have the right to obtain a copy of your personal data in an electronic or
      structured format, which is commonly used and allows for your further use, in case your personal
      data was processed through electronic means and in a structured and commonly used format.

     

    Any requests, concerns, or notices relating to exercising your rights as indicated above may be sent in writing to the following:

    Data Protection Officer
    Email: [email protected]
    Landline: +63 2 8396 5320
    Website: www.primeinfra.sds.dev
    Address: Three E-Com Center, Bayshore Drive corner Ocean Drive, Block 21, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

  • PRIVACY NOTICE


    We at Prime Infrastructure Holdings, Inc. (“Prime Infra”) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy in accordance with applicable data privacy laws and regulations, including the Philippine Data Privacy Act of 2012, its implementing rules and regulations, issuances of the National Privacy Commission, and other related data protection laws (collectively, the “Privacy Laws”).

    This Privacy Notice sets out the purpose and manner by which Prime Infra collects and processes your personal data you provide us through our Contact Page and the practices and security measures we implement to ensure the protection of your personal information.

    This Privacy Notice was last updated on 20 October 2021. We reserve the right to amend this Privacy Notice from time to time to reflect changing legal requirements or our processing practices. Any such changes will be posted on this website and will be effective upon posting.

    Personal data collected

    When you reach us through any of the avenues provided in our Contact Us page, we collect the following personal data you disclose in your correspondence, such as:

    • 1. Name
    • 2. Contact information (e.g. e-mail address, mobile number, address, etc.)
    • 3. Other personal data you provide.

     

    Prime Infra also uses a third party program for website analytics. When accessing our website, this program only collects the following information:

    • a. Number of unique visitors
    • b. Website traffic sources
    • c. Visitor’s geographic location (country)
    • d. Time spent browsing the website

     

    Purpose and manner of using personal information

    The personal data that we collect are manually and/or electronically used, stored, retained, recorded, or otherwise processed exclusively for purposes of:

    • a. Addressing any correspondence sent to Prime Infra; and
    • b. Any other purpose for which you provided your personal information to Prime Infra through its website.

     

    Inquiries and requests, which may contain personal data, are only disclosed or forwarded to the relevant internal department for appropriate action or response. We do not disclose or share your personal data to any other parties unless (a) you specifically consent to the transfer or sharing of the personal data; or (b) we are legally obligated or ordered by a competent authority to make such disclosure. In such a case, the transfer, sharing, or disclosure of the personal data will be done in accordance with applicable Privacy Laws. You will be notified of such transfer, sharing, or disclosure, and we will take appropriate safeguards to ensure the integrity and protection of the personal information being transferred.

    We will delete the personal data when it is no longer reasonably required for the above purposes or when you withdraw your consent to the processing thereof, provided that we are not legally required or otherwise permitted to continue to hold such personal data. We may retain the personal data for an additional period, to the extent that we deem it necessary to comply with regulatory compliance requirements or assert or defend legal claims during any relevant retention period.

     

    Where we process and store personal information

    We process and store the personal information you disclose only within the Philippines. Should it become necessary for us to store your data in another jurisdiction, we will comply with the requirements under the Privacy Laws.
     

    How we secure and protect personal information

    We take the necessary and appropriate organizational, physical, and technical security measures against the unauthorized or unlawful processing of the personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, your personal data.

    We also limit access to the personal data to the personnel who require such data in the performance of their functions.

     

    Rights as Data Subjects

    As data subjects, you have the following rights over your personal data

    • a. Right to Be Informed — You have the right to be informed whether the personal data shall be, are being, or have been processed, including whether automated decision-making and profiling will be involved in the processing.
    • b. Right to Object — You can object to processing of your personal data, including processing for direct marketing, automated processing, or profiling.
    • c. Right to Access — You have the right to reasonable access to the following, upon demand:
      i. The contents of your personal data that was processed;
      ii. Sources from which your personal data was obtained;
      iii. Names and addresses of recipients of your personal data;
      iv. The manner by which your personal data was processed;
      v. The reasons for the disclosure of your personal data to third persons, if any;
      vi. Information on automated processes where your personal data will, or is likely to, be
      used as the sole basis for any decision that significantly affects or will affect you;
      vii. Date when your personal data was last accessed and modified; and
      viii. The designation, name or identity, and address of the personal information controller.
    • d. Right to Rectification — You have the right to dispute any inaccuracy or error in your personal
      data, unless the request is vexatious or otherwise unreasonable.
    • e. Right to Erasure or Blocking — You have the right to suspend, withdraw or order the blocking,
      removal or destruction of your personal data from our filing system, under the circumstances
      allowed under Privacy Laws.
    • f. Right to Damages — You have the right to be indemnified for any damages sustained due to such
      inaccurate, incomplete, outdated, false, unlawfully obtained or unauthorized use of your
      personal data, upon a finding by a court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction that a violation of
      the Privacy Laws has occurred.
    • g. Right to Portability — You have the right to obtain a copy of your personal data in an electronic or
      structured format, which is commonly used and allows for your further use, in case your personal
      data was processed through electronic means and in a structured and commonly used format.

     

    Any requests, concerns, or notices relating to exercising your rights as indicated above may be sent in writing to the following:

    Data Protection Officer
    Email: [email protected]
    Landline: +63 2 8396 5320
    Website: www.primeinfra.sds.dev
    Address: Three E-Com Center, Bayshore Drive corner Ocean Drive, Block 21, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City