THE Francisco Bangoy International Airport or Davao International Airport is urged to strengthen solid waste management policies to prevent littering or improper garbage disposal inside the airport.
This is after concerned citizens reported that garbage was scattered around inside the boarding gate of the airport in Davao City, raising concerns about littering and proper waste disposal.
However, CAAP-Davao manager Rex Obcena said on Tuesday, May 30 that the incident is an isolated case since it is rare that the boarding gate is left unclean with garbage scattered around.
Obcena told SunStar Davao that they always have airport custodians cleaning around the airport, especially at the boarding gate where trash is sometimes left behind whenever there is an influx of passengers.
“Ang mga cleaners, they always do their best na limpyohan ang area but dili sila makalimpyo basta-basta pag daghan pa pasahero (they always do their best to clean the area),” Obcena said in an interview.
“Dili nato ma-ssure na tanan pasahero mag labay og tama (We can’t assure that everyone will throw their garbage properly) but not all passengers (litter). Daghan pud ta nakabutang na garbage bins sa boarding gate,” he added.
The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) also said that CAAP-Davao should strengthen the enforcement of national and local policies, especially those addressing littering and single-use plastics.
Lemuel Manalo, program coordinator of Idis, said that CAAP-Davao should initiate the action since the airport authority is not directly under the jurisdiction of the local government unit (LGU).
“Coordinate waste management policies with CAAP, LGU, and the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO). Kailangan gihapon siya ma-adapt within the boundaries sa CAAP,” Manalo said during a media forum.
With this, Obcena said they are coordinating with Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre to address concerns involving the Davao International Airport. At the same time, CAAP-Davao will put up information materials around the airport to remind passengers about their trash. ICM