DESPITE the widespread campaign on waste segregation, only about nine percent was reduced in the volume of garbage dumped at the open dump site in Zayas landfill in Cagayan de Oro City for the last two years.
The City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro), however, treated the nine percent reduction as a significant improvement given the prevailing garbage problem in the city.
City Solid Waste and Management Board (CSWMB) coordinator Elvisa Mabelin said in January 2015 that the garbage collection usually reaches the capacity of 25,000 cubic meters but in the same period this year, garbage collected has now reached at 23,000 cubic meters.
“Bisan siguro gamay lang siya huna-hunaon, pero grabe na ni kadako nga achievement sa among part nga ingana kadako ang pagkunhod sa basura sa mga tao sa syudad,” Mabelin said.
In 2013, the 13-hectare city controlled dumpsite in Barangay Carmen has already accumulated a garbage volume of four million cubic meters which supposedly only holds 1.9 million cubic meters.
In 2014 alone, an average of 280 tons of garbage was dumped every day in the open dump site, according to Clenro’s 10-year solid waste management plan.
Clenro added the figure does not represent the whole waste produced by residents in the city since rural barangays are not included in the garbage collection.
A study, called "Waste Analysis and Characterization Study" was conducted by the Clenro and findings showed that the city has solid waste generation rate of 76 kilogram per day, per capita.
The study, which used the existing population in 2014, revealed the city’s total waste generation is 561 tons per day.
Also, an unaccounted 181 tons of garbage are possibly thrown directly at junkshops while others are illegally disposed to rivers, creeks, open spaces, or openly burned.
Due to the pressing issue, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) issued an Authority to Close (ATC) notice in June 2, 2010 to institute components of the closure and rehabilitation plan of the dumpsite.
The guidelines, however, were never implemented up until today thus prompting the environment-advocate group EcoWaste Coalition to file complaints against top city official for violations of the Ecological Soild Waste Management Act.
Mabelin remained optimistic that the closure plan, currently in Phase 2, will reach its end later this year.
Mabilin also stressed that people need to be disciplined to grasp the idea that garbage is not the responsibility of the government.
“Pila na ka-tuig pero wala gihapon maanad ang mga tao sa schedule sa garbage collection. Bag-o ra gani nangolekta ang truck, igo gayud pagkalakaw, naa napud gibutang na basura. One time pud diha sa Macapagal drive, nakit-an namo naay taga-eskwelahan nga galabay ug basura diha,” Mabelin said.