By Khier A. Cohina
Correspondent

CEBU CITY (Feb. 22, 2024) – The Task Force Gubat sa Baha (TFGsB) urges barangay officials to cooperate with them in keeping the Kinalumsan River clean.

Kinalumsan River commander John Paul “Poloy” Gelasque. | 📷 Screengrab from Sugboanon Channel

John Paul “Poloy” Gelasque, head of the Department of General Services and river commander for the Kinalumsan River, lamented that residents living near the waterway continue to throw their garbage on it despite the city’s efforts to keep it clean.

Gelasque said barangay officials should take the initiative to remind their constituents to not throw their garbage on the river.

“Mohangyo mi sa taga barangay nga please, this is always a two-way process. Ang main nga mo sulbad ani is the barangay level,” said Gelasque said during TFGsB’s teleradyo program over Sugboanon Channel.

The 11.3-kilometer Kinalumsan River traverses Barangays Buhisan, Labangon, Mambaling and Duljo Fatima.

Barangays know better

Gelasque admitted that TFGsB cannot shoulder the burden of cleaning up the river by itself.

He said the barangay officials should do their part to educate their constituents on proper solid waste management.

Gelasque (foreground) takes a selfie with river troopers installing a red boom net at the Kinalumsan River in Barangay Duljo Fatima on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 2024. | John Paul Gelasque

“Ang diri nga part sa local government unit, sa atoa sa City Hall is to supplement unta. But ang nahitabo ron, kita na may nag-spearhead; kita na maoy mouna. Sila na ang mag supplement ideally, but they are not doing it,” he said.  

“Diri mosulod balik ang cooperation sa atong barangay, nga dapat unta sila maoy mo supplement sa among effort kay mo-spearhead ang city government sa kani nga cleanup, but they have to sustain it,” he added.

Gelasque admitted that cleaning has become a challenge for his team especially that residents living nearby would still throw their garbage at the river despite TFGsB’s constant presence there.

Gelasque assured that once the full implementation and education will be understood by the residents, there would be no problem at all.

On the other hand, Gelasque said his river troopers have an easier time in ensuring that the river’s three-meter easement remains clear.

He said the City already cleared some of the households situated along the river’s three-meter easement were already relocated. | PPRMN / kac