Friday, November 30, 2007 Garbage problem did not dampen arrival of visitors: official
THE garbage problem failed to dampen tourist arrivals Baguio, but it certainly affected the city’s image being clean and green.
This was disclosed by Baguio Tourism Council chairman Anthony de Leon, who said more than its impact on tourism, the hazards of leaving piles of garbage out on the streets only end up being scattered by animals and vermin.
"It's too a high a price for the city if another disease occurs," de Leon said.
In 2004, a meningococcemia “scare” occurred in Baguio. Health experts have identified the public market as the area where cases have first been recorded. Unsanitary conditions have been blamed as the culprit why the “scare” occurred. The tourism industry then suffered as a result of the outbreak.
To increase awareness on the city's waste segregation drive, de Leon suggested that the City Government drum up its information and education campaign, and pattern its waste collection scheme after that of Marikina City.
The Baguio City Government began imposing the waste segregation scheme last October 1. The rule imposed was garbage would not be collected if these are not segregated.
Since then, garbage have been piled almost everywhere by residents who remained adamant to the rules of the City Government. (RO)
