Archival rolls out school-based waste diversion program

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival yesterday launched "Basura Namo, Kaugmaon Nato," a school-based waste diversion program that aims to instill proper waste management habits among children while helping address the city's garbage problem.

“Niami mi aron pag-awhag ninyo nga atong tabangan ang atong syudad sa Sugbo nga malimpyo… mao kana ang atong programa, Basura Namo, Kaugmaon Nato,” Archival told students and teachers of Talamban Elementary School, emphasizing that the initiative seeks to shape environmental responsibility at an early age by teaching children that small actions can create a lasting impact.

The program encourages pupils to bring properly segregated biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste from their homes, packed in plastic bottles, for collection at school.

Archival said the practice could significantly reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills while fostering environmental discipline among students.

“Nahimo ni tungod kay atong giplano para sa kaugmaon natong mga kabatan-unan,” he said, linking the initiative to the city's long-term sustainability goals.

The program is supported by Councilor Alvin Arcilla, Department of Education Cebu City Division Superintendent Dr. Nimfa Bongo, and Talamban Elementary School Principal Rolando Rebusit, underscoring the role of schools as partners in environmental governance.

The initiative comes as Cebu City continues to grapple with a waste management crisis.

Following the collapse of the Binaliw landfill earlier this year, which claimed dozens of lives and prompted the city to declare a Solid Waste Management Emergency, Cebu City has been spending about P4.2 million daily to haul garbage to Aloguinsan.

With the city generating an estimated 700 tons of waste each day, Archival has proposed redirecting part of the P500-million solid waste management budget to provide incentives for students and families who actively participate in the program.

“Kung ang atong mga kabataan makakat-on sa hustong pagdumala sa basura, ang tibuok siyudad makabenepisyo,” he said, emphasizing the program's long-term benefits.

Two days before the school launch, Archival also led a coastal cleanup in Barangay Pasil, mobilizing government agencies, volunteers, and residents to remove trash from the shoreline.

“Ang pagpanalipod sa atong baybayon dili mahimo sa gobyerno lang, kinahanglan ang partisipasyon sa matag Sugboanon,” he reminded participants, stressing that protecting the coastline requires the same community involvement being promoted through household and school-based waste management.

Archival said the combined initiatives reflect the city's shift from relying primarily on landfill disposal to promoting waste diversion and environmental responsibility at the community level in line with Cebu City's vision of becoming a "Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive Cebu." — (FREEMAN)