THE City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in Davao City is now deploying some of its staff along the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road, in response to the viral photo showing garbage cluttering along the road.
In a post from a Facebook user, Kev Aguelo, some garbage cluttered along Bago Aplaya park and roadsides was shown after the coastal road was opened to motorists on July 1.
"Nice tambayan didto, kusog ang hangin, pwede mo mag muni-muni, pero kung magdala mo ug food and drinks clean as you go unta, o bitbita inyong basura kung wlay basurahan sa duol [sic] (It’s nice to hangout in there but if you bring food and drinks, please clean as you go, or bring your trash if there's no trash bin nearby)," Aguelo posted.
In response, Cenro head Marivic Reyes said they will be assigning sweepers daily from 5 a.m. until around 9 a.m. or even up until 10 a.m. if necessary to maintain cleanliness in the area.
The sweepers will also go back to the area if necessary during the afternoon.
Additionally, Reyes said these sweepers are deployed together with city enforcers who would apprehend and issue citation tickets to violators.
To address this issue, the local government has implemented strict measures under City Ordinances 0361-10 (Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009) and 0500-21 (No to Single-Use Plastic Ordinance of 2021). These ordinances aim to promote responsible waste management and discourage harmful practices.
“Part na siya didto regarding sa mga violation na imong ma-commit section 44 of the [waste management] ordinance (Giving citation tickets when you are caught littering will be under violations in section 44 of the waste management ordinance),” Reyes said in an interview with SunStar Davao.
Reyes also said that currently, there are collaborations with Barangay Talomo Proper and Matina Aplaya in assisting Cenro in monitoring proper waste disposal among their constituents.
“Kay particularly ang dali kasuroy dira kay mga taga-duol ra pod anang coastal road (Because it is particularly easy for those living near the area to stroll along the coastal road),” Reyes said.
She also urged everyone to be responsible with their own trash.
“Naghangyo lang mi, isip Dabawenyo, dapat responsable ta sa atong pagmanage sa atong basura na dapat basura nimo dal-on nimog balik ug ilabay nato sa dapat ug tamang labayanan (We are requesting Dabawenyos that we should be responsible in managing our waste by properly carrying and disposing it in the appropriate and correct facilities),” Reyes said. ICE