Rama: Brgys non-collection of garbage deliberate

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama believes that there are barangay officials allied with his political opponents who disregard garbage problems in their respective areas so that they could make an issue out of it.

“Nagtoo ko nga ilang tuyoon nga dili hakoton ang mga basura aron ako maoy ilang basolon ug pasanginlan ang akong administrasyon nga walay gihimo,” Rama told the reporters yesterday. (I think they purposely do not collect the garbage so they can blame it on me.)

Guadalupe is one of the barangays that reportedly experienced problems about garbage collection because of lack of garbage trucks, but Rama said Guadalupe has so many garbage trucks.

But still, the mayor said he will make a follow up with Councilor Eduardo “Edu” Rama, chairman of the City Council’s committee on public services, for an update on the garbage truck that he wants to give to Guadalupe.

The Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK) lambasted Rama because he rejected the request of Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan that instead of the expensive service vehicle that the City Hall will purchase for Guadalupe, he wants that City Hall will give a garbage truck.

It was learned that the brand new Toyota Hilux that was purchased by the City Hall for Guadalupe was not turned over to Gacasan, who is an ally of Cebu City South district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña, but to one of his councilmen who is a supporter of the mayor.

Rama said the barangay garbage collectors should do their best to collect the garbage in their respective areas because City Hall is always supportive to them by giving additional monthly honoraria.

It was reported that the uncollected piles of garbage were seen in the various barangays including barangays allied with Team Rama like Apas and Lahug.

Usually, when the barangay garbage vehicles bog down, the Department of Public Services (DPS) will quickly assist them, but the DPS only have 11 garbage trucks that are on running condition. — (FREEMAN)