Archival renews call for cooperation: Don’t throw waste into waterways

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has appealed to residents to stop throwing garbage into waterways after heavy rains this week triggered flooding in several parts of the city and Metro Cebu.

The Department of General Services (DGS) carried out a clearing operation at T. Padilla Bridge, where a significant buildup of trash and debris had obstructed the waterway.

The operation was part of the city’s immediate response to rising water levels and inundations reported in downtown streets and flood-prone communities near the Guadalupe River.

“Importante nga clear ang atong mga kanal, sapa, ug suba aron dili ma-obstruct ang agianan sa tubig, especially during heavy rains,” Archival said in a public statement.

He stressed that government teams can only do so much without the cooperation of households.

“Pero kinahanglan pud ang cooperation sa matag panimalay. Ayaw ilabay ang basura sa kanal, sapa, o suba. Segregate properly, secure your waste, and use the proper collection system.”

The mayor’s appeal comes as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts continued rain showers and thunderstorms over Metro Cebu until yesterday.

The weather bureau warned that persistent downpours could further aggravate flooding, particularly in areas where waterways remain clogged with garbage.

“Padayon ang atong teams sa pag-monitor ug pag-action sa mga areas nga nanginahanglan og intervention,” Archival added.

Traffic advisories issued by the city's Public Information Office noted several flooded sites across downtown and major thoroughfares, including Colon Street, Osmeña Boulevard, and N. Bacalso Avenue.

Meanwhile, three individuals were cited in two separate operations against illegal dumping in Mandaue City.

In the first incident on September 22, the City Mayor’s Office-Safety Maintenance Area Response Team (CMO-SMART) caught an individual allegedly dumping five sacks of garbage along B. Ceniza Street in Barangay Mantuyong.

In an interview yesterday, September 24, CMO-SMART team leader Gerard Glenn “RD” Soon Gobalani said the five sacks contained residential waste. He said the man was hired by residents to dispose of their garbage.

He said some households would pay and ask others to dispose of their garbage at night instead of following the barangay’s collection schedule.

“Ilang ipagawas daan inig kagabie pero mu-create man gud na siya og hugaw kay kabkabon sa iro, muadto sa mga kanal,” Gobalani said.

The team coordinated with the Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office (MCENRO) and Barangay Mantuyong’s Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSO) in responding to the incident.

The individual was issued an environmental citation ticket by MCENRO.

Gobalani said the man, who is in his 50s, paid a P2,000 fine.

“Di kaayo ingon dako pero makatagam sad ba… naa naman pod magbantay niya,” he said.

In a separate operation yesterday morning, September 24, CMO-SMART personnel, together with the Philippine National Police (PNP), intercepted two individuals who allegedly attempted to dump two sacks of garbage near the Puregold Lot along Ouano Avenue.

Gobalani said the waste consisted of Hardiflex sheets and other debris.

The suspects reportedly tried to flee after noticing the authorities but were intercepted by CMO-SMART and PNP personnel.

“At first ni-deny sila, pero pagkakita nila sa evidence nga na picture-an nato ilang gilabay ilaha ra sang giangkon,” Gobalani said.

Gobalani said one of the men told authorities that they had been instructed to dispose of the waste by an establishment in Cebu City.

He said it was not the first time the two men had allegedly dumped waste in the area, based on information from bystanders.

He described the incident as an insult to the Mandaue City government, particularly because the waste allegedly came from a neighboring city.

“Ingon ni Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano ang Mandaue City should be respected ba, dapat manglimpyo gyud ta, unya ingon ana labayan lang ta, murag di na mao,” Gobalani said.

MCENRO was called to handle the violation, resulting in the issuance of environmental citation tickets carrying a P10,000 penalty.

Aside from the alleged illegal dumping, the Traffic Enforcement Management (TEAM) also impounded the suspects’ multicab after authorities found that its registration had expired.

Authorities also found an alleged issue with the driver’s license and reportedly suspected that it was fake.

The operations form part of the city’s continuing enforcement against illegal dumping, or “bombing,” and other violations of environmental regulations.

CMO-SMART, PNP, and MCENRO have urged residents to properly dispose of their waste and avoid dumping garbage in unauthorized areas.

Gobalani added that the City Solid Waste Management Office and the DGS have also met to discuss proper waste disposal and collection schedules. – Kristin de Dios/MRM (CEBU NEWS)