CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella urged volunteers in the food-for-work program who swam in polluted waterways during cleanup drives not to do it again.

“I admonish them, never do that again. There is no order from the (Cebu) City Government,” Labella said.

The food-for-work program was initiated by the Cebu City Department of Public Services (DPS) in response to the mayor’s directive to clear the city’s rivers and waterways from trash. Street dwellers and volunteers joined the activity in exchange for cans of sardines and rice.

However, the City received flack from netizens after a Facebook post of the cleanup drive posted on Labella’s social media account “Edgar Labella” went viral.

The post showed street dwellers and volunteers collecting plastic water bottles and other plastic waste while swimming in dark and polluted creeks.

Netizen Aveen Acuña-Gulo commented, “Maayo kay nanlimpyo. Pero intawn oi ayaw pud na palangoya ang tawo diha’s kanal mayor, oi. Drama ra pud kaayo nga first-class city na man kaha ang Cebu.”

Another netizen Raquel Sevilla said, “Why these people had to go in... There’s always a machine that can do the work. Don’t compromise the safety and well-being of these people.”

Juanillo De Veyra, in his comment, said, “Although we have seen the result but we need to consider the workers’ health. Please provide them with appropriate PPE. Luoy man pud magkasakit sila aning trabaho. Asa ka ana ipasawm nimo sa inani ka polluted nga sapa.”

Labella said he will not let the street dwellers risk their lives for cans of sardines.

He said allowing them to swim in polluted water will expose street dwellers and volunteers to infection.

He admitted he didn’t like the idea of letting volunteers in the water to clean the waterways.

He said maybe street dwellers were just “too excited” to cooperate with the programs of the government.

DPS head Joel Biton said they will provide boots for volunteers to wear during their next cleanup. Also, they will be allowed to stay by the riverside, he said.

The volunteers will also be given prophylaxis to prevent them from getting infections. (JJL)