By Jose Santino Bunachita
PIO Reporter

CEBU CITY (August 4, 2022) – Bio-fences will be installed in different portions of the Guadalupe River to trap and prevent garbage from ending up in the coastal area.

Mayor Mike Rama (PIO/File)

The Department of Public Services (DPS) will also set a meeting with officials from all barangays where the Guadalupe River passes through to discuss this matter.

In a Zoom meeting with Mayor Mike Rama today, officials from the coastal barangays of the city lamented that people from other barangays at the river’s upstream portion also contribute to the piles of garbage in the coastal area.

Mayor Rama called the meeting to address the unsightly mounds of garbage floating in the coastal areas, which can be clearly seen from the South Road Properties (SRP) viaduct.

Barangay captains from Pasil, Ermita, Suba, and Sawang Calero were present.

“Ang mga basura dira, gikan man sa babaw. Bisan manglimpyo mi sa ubos, apan kung sa babaw aduna gihapoy hugaw modung sa ubos, useless ang atong trabaho,” said Ermita Barangay Captain Mark Miral.

Atty. John Jigo Dacua. (PIO/File)

Sawang Calero Barangay Captain Sergio Ocaña agreed, saying they are the ones burdened by the garbage indiscriminately thrown to the river by people at the upstream area.

With this, DPS Head Atty. John Jigo Dacua said he will set up a meeting with all barangays that are part of the Guadalupe River, aside from the four coastal barangays.

The Cebu Contractors Association (CCA), which attended the meeting, pledged to provide support to the city in terms of providing heavy equipment and the installation of the bio-fences.

Engr. Justin Go of the CCA said they can help design the bio-fences or nets that will entrap solid waste that float through the river.

He agreed to the suggestion that these bio-fences should be installed not just in the coastal areas but also in the upstream portion of the river.

This photo shows a portion of the Tejero Creek. Experts say that despite the pollution, rivers in the city can still be revived through proper rehabilitation and planning. (PIO/Allan Cuizon)

“We should maintain it. Di man sad pwede magbuhat ta karon, nya way mo-maintain. Sayang kaayo,” Go said.

With this, Cebu City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) Head Grace Luardo urged the barangay officials to ensure strict implementation of solid waste laws and the apprehension of people who throw their garbage to the river.

She said CESET can deputize barangay tanods and other personnel so they legally apprehend and issue citation tickets against violators. #

Read related story: Council calls for assembly of river body