Sanctions await barangay execs who don’t clean waterways

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella has warned barangay officials they can be sanctioned administratively if they will not help the city monitor the state of waterways and help in keeping them clean.

Labella issued the warning after seeing garbage along the Guadalupe River barely a day after thousands of City Hall workers and volunteers cleaned the river last Saturday.

“As of now, we received info that somewhere in Pahina San Nicolas, some litters, some garbage were thrown by some of the residents. That is why, not only Pahina San Nicolas, there are other areas we still have to identify the barangays…once I get information, I will issue reminders to the barangay officials, the barangay captains, that they have to do their share. We have to sustain this,” the mayor told reporters.

Labella said if barangay officials refuse to cooperate or fail to discipline their constituents, they can be admonished or suspended. Warnings will be issued at first to give the officials a chance to explain.

He said barangay officials should set aside political posturing in addressing the problem on garbage, flooding, and condition of waterways.

Labella will meet all 80 barangay captains today to discuss measures in sustaining cleanliness efforts, among others.

“The Office of the Mayor has the administrative authority over all barangay officials in his territorial jurisdiction of Cebu City… It’s a tough job to do but we have to do it,” Labella said.

During the cleanup last Saturday, the city and volunteers collected 70 tons of garbage from the Guadalupe River – not just 21 tons as reported earlier.

“Mohangyo ta sa mga namuyo sa kilid sa kasapaan, ayaw ninyo ilabay ang mga basura sa sapa. Manghinaot ta nga monindot og balik atong sapa nga ma-clear og balik unya atong butangan og isda (We ask those living near the creeks not to throw their garbage into the waterways. It is our hope that our waterways will be clean again and we can grow fish there),” Labella said.

Part of the rehabilitation of the rivers, he said, is identifying the establishments that encroach upon the rivers’ easement zone and households that do not dispose of their wastewater properly.

Atty. John Jigo Dacua, head of the Cebu City Environment Natural Resources Office, said a team from his office monitors the rivers but he urged barangay officials to help keep an eye.

He said CENRO will not hesitate to file charges against those found throwing garbage discriminately into the rivers.

Last Saturday, for example, CENRO issued citation tickets to 25 residents in Guadalupe. They will face charges if they fail to pay the fines, which range from P1,000 to P3,000. (FREEMAN)