AROUND 50 tons of garbage were collected by the Mandaue City Government during its clean-up drive at the Butuanon River last week.
Lawyer John Eddu Ibanez, executive secretary to Mayor Jonas Cortes, told reporters on Monday, June 20, 2022, that the activity, which was participated by the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of General Services, Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the City Engineering Office, was in preparation for the successive rains that might occur this rainy season.
The City Government expressed fear that a massive flood might happen during heavy rains if the river remained clogged.
The cleaning operation was launched after the City Government received numerous reports on waste congestion at the Butuanon River.
Some Butuanon residents complained that the water from the river overflowed into their houses because of garbage that blocked the passage of water.
Ibañez, in turn, advised the residents to cooperate and stop throwing their garbage into the river.
"This may sound cliche, but we keep repeating this reminder that we should be responsible in throwing trash because it will end up in our water waste and rivers," said Ibañez.
The wastes collected about 500 meters to one kilometer in length from the river's mouth consisted of plastic bags and other materials made of plastic, logs and silts.
Ibanez said the logs might have been drifted by the water current coming from the mountain during the onslaught of Typhoon Odette (Rai) last December 16, 2021.
The clean-up drive was predicted to last for a month but was accomplished for only a week, Ibañez added.
The Butuanon River, along with the Mahiga Creek, is the major flood contributor in Cebu, as stated by the City Planning and Chamber of Commerce and Industry Development Office in 2015.
On May 18, 2022, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) officially declared the start of the rainy season in the country. (HIC)