Environment cmte tackles city garbage collection woes

The City Council Committee on Environment of Councilor Roger Abaday convened to discuss the special report of Councilor Malvern Esparcia, during the 20th City Council’s 97th regular session, regarding the city’s ongoing challenges in garbage collection, particularly during peak traffic hours, the issues of spillage during collection, and the need for improved operational protocols.

In his report, Esparcia said that collected wastes fall off from the garbage truck during transit, because the net cover is too small. He added that the use of big garbage trucks is causing traffic jam in the Uptown area.

With this, he requested the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) to require the city-accredited garbage hauler to use much larger canvas cover to prevent garbage from falling off and to have strategic scheduling of garbage collection.

On garbage spillage

Mr. Edgardo Naguio, CLENRO representative, explained that the implementing rules and regulations of City Ordinance 13378, otherwise known as the Integrated Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Cagayan de Oro City, requires garbage trucks to have nets or tarpaulins when transporting solid waste to the landfill. He suggested to the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) to apprehend violators.

However, Engr. Nonito Oclarit, officer-in-charge of RTA, said the ordinance does not specifically provide for such infraction, thus they cannot pursue violators. He suggested to amend the ordinance to make it enforceable.

On garbage collection

Meanwhile, Naguio also reported that CLENRO made certain adjustments in the garbage collection schedule. Collection starts at 6:00PM to 9:00PM for the main roads and highways and 8:00AM for the inner barangays. 

He, however, admitted that sometimes there are delays in the collection due to garbage truck mechanical issues or there are personnel shortages.

He also raised the lack of discipline among residents who bring out their garbage not on the scheduled collection time.

He urged the active involvement of all barangays, believing that their roles are critical in managing waste in their respective areas.

Abaday reiterated that effective solid waste management requires collective responsibility from the city government, barangay officials, and the community as a whole.