By Caecent No-ot Magsumbol
Reprint from The Freeman

CEBU, Philippines (Nov. 26, 2023) — After a massive information campaign on waste segregation, the Cebu City government aims to intensify the implementation of “segregation at source” by 2024.

CCENRO acting head Reymarr Hijara. 📷 File

Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office-CCENRO officer-in-charge Reymarr Hijara disclosed this during a meeting in preparation for the 14th Cebu City-wide Cleanup Challenge on December 9, 2023.

The “segregation at source” or City Ordinance 2031 calls for the strict “no segregation, no collection” policy. Its implementation has not been strictly imposed over the years, but the Cebu City government has assured that since last year, barangays have been instructed on the need to enforce the segregation ordinance.

City Ordinance 2031 mandates a fine of P1,000 to P5,000 or imprisonment of one to six months for violators, or those that will fail to properly segregate their trash.

The Cebu City government hopes that through information campaigns and cleanup challenges, Cebuanos will instill the value of cleanliness in their homes and their respective communities.

CCENRO acting head Reymarr Hijara (leftmost) meets with City Hall officials on Friday, Nov. 24, to discuss their preparations for the upcoming 14th Citywide Clean-up Challenge next month. 📷 PIO

The 14th City-wide Cleanup Challenge is dubbed “Christmas Cleanup for a Bright New Year”.

During the 13th City-wide Cleanup last September 16, 2023, the city government was able to collect a total of 102 metric tons of mixed wastes from 9,236 workers from the City Hall, other government agencies, along with volunteers from barangays, non-government organizations, schools, and the private sector.

Photos during the 13th Citywide Clean-up Challenge last September. 📷 PIO

Aside from cleaning up the city from roads to rivers, Hijara said they will also utilize the upcoming event as an awareness activity for the strict implementation of the “segregation at source.”

“I-require na ang matag balay, matag establisemento, matag opisina, matag building pribado man o publiko, matag barangay, nga ila-in la-in gyud ang ilang mga basura aron dili lisud kolektahun,” Hijara said, through the city government’s News and Information Team.

Once it is strictly implemented, the city government will only collect those that have been properly segregated.

DENR-EMB-7 have earlier emphasized that improper solid waste management does not only lead to massive flooding, it also leads to air and water contamination and increased heat. | The Freeman

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