Cleanup drive in Talisay barangay

CEBU, Philippines — Employees of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District in cooperation with Jaclupan barangay officials and volunteers held a cleanup drive and community beautification in areas leading to MCWD’s impounding and catchment facility, which produces around 33,000 cubic meters of water a day.

Known as Mananga Phase I Project, the water supply facility – which is worth P770 million – was completed in 1998. It has 15 wells, a seven-meter mini dam or diversion weir, a sedimentation and infiltration facilities.

The cleanup drive, spearheaded by Atty. Manolette Dinsay, a member of the MCWD Board of Directors (BOD), was attended by Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas.

Gullas was grateful that the Jaclupan was chosen to be the recipient of the first project of the MCWD Employees CSR Group because it is in line with his thrust to make the city cleaner and greener.

He revealed that when he assumed as mayor in July 2019, among the serious problems he had to face and solve is flooding. He created an action team and launched a cleaning and declogging program.

Monthly river cleanups were done from July to December of that year and they have gathered at least 200,000 kilos of wastes mostly plastic containers and bags.

“I want to show to the people nga aduna’y gobiyerno nga willing molimpyo alang sa katawhan.  Apan dili kaya sa gobiyerno tanan.  Dako ang akong kalipay niining initiative sa MCWD,” he said.

Dinsay, for his part, said this is the water district’s way of giving back to the community because MCWD operates a facility in Jaclupan.

He also thanked all the volunteers for their commitment to help.

MCWD acting General Manager Stephen Yee, on the other hand, assured that there will be more CSR activities in the future. He added the cleanup drive is not only for the present generation but also for the children so that they will continue to enjoy clean rivers and aquifers.

Dr. Lagrimas Abarquez, head of Talisay City’s Waste Management Program, is also very enthusiastic about the activity as it is her office’s direction to tap different agencies to help them in the implementation of their waste management programs. They have already worked with different schools and government agencies like the Bureau of Fire and the PNP.

The MCWD Employees CSR Group turned over garbage bins and used tires to Mayor Gullas and Jaclupan Barangay Captain Marissa Orbiso.

The tires, which will be used as plant boxes, were lined up along the roadway to the Jaclupan river bank and were painted by the volunteers. — LPM (FREEMAN)