Barangays need garbage trucks, not luxury cars

CEBU, Philippines - A Cebu City councilor lamented that Mayor Michael Rama gave priority to giving service vehicles to barangay officials instead of giving them garbage trucks.

Councilor Nida Cabrera who chairs the committee on environment said the city has purchased new garbage trucks but these were not distributed to the barangays.

She said the delay has already affected efficient garbage collection. It is also unfortunate because September has been declared as the National Clean up Month, which puts emphasis on clean up and environmental greening activities.

Rama has already distributed 34 brand new vehicles like Toyota Hilux, Innova and other models to some of the barangay captains in the city, particularly Team Rama allies.

Eight of the 34 vehicles were assigned to barangay councilmen because their barangay captains are supporters of the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK).

Of the 80 barangay captains, only Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan requested for a garbage instead of a brand new service vehicle.

Before Rama left for an official visit to China yesterday, he announced that his administration is sincere of its efforts to clean up the city and he even vowed to penalize those City Hall officials and personnel who will not comply with his orders.

Rama added that Barangay Environmental Officers (BEO) should not collect garbage that are not segregated and apprehend violators of the segregation policy. — (FREEMAN)