Boy's letter snaps council into action

CEBU, Philippines - A letter of an 8th grader of the University of San Carlos narrating how frustrated he is because of the lack of discipline of the people in his neighborhood has prompted the Cebu City Council to call the attention of the barangay officials of Bacayan.

Louie Joie Ciano, 14, wrote his disappointments on how his neighbors are indiscriminately throwing their garbage disregarding the city government’s garbage policy and the barangay officials’ inaction to solve the garbage problem.

Ciano was told by his teacher to make a report about the environmental problems in their place. A copy of the boy’s report entitled “Suliraning Pangkapaligiran” was sent to Bacayan barangay captain Armando Borces, Sr. and Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera by one of his neighbors.

The boy said he had observed that many people in Bacayan are not taking care of their surroundings. He said some of them are throwing their garbage anywhere while others do not segregate.

He suggested that the residents should call a meeting with the people in-charge of the garbage collection to discuss the problem and find the possible solution.

“This for our safety our health and concern to each other and everyone. We should also do some actions to this. A practice where this bad practice will be stopped,” the boy’s letter reads.

Engr. Jaime Nagac, who brought up the issue before the barangay officials, said the report is very timely because the city government is actively implementing the provisions of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

“Interesting and very encouraging to know that there are still young minds who take time to be aware of the things around them and the possible counter-measures to improve the situations,” he said.

Nagac suggested for the barangay to create a task force that will monitor the implementation of cleanliness.

The City Council has already called the attention of the barangay officials and admonished them to attend to the complaint.. (FREEMAN)