Trash problems besiege SRP

CEBU, Philippines - Litters continue to be a problem at the South Road Properties in spite of the consistent cleanup operations conducted by the SRP management and the Bantay Dagat Commission.

“Di man nato mapug-ngan ang basura. Ang uban modagsa  ang basura kon di sila mahipos,” said Bantay Dagat Commission project director Ranolfo Sebusa.

SRP manager Roberto “Bu” Varquez said that the northeast monsoon wind was also a factor.

“Kana diha amo ng gilimpyohan kada adlaw pero dili gyud matabang ang basura diha karon tungod sa hangin paingon sa atoa side sa SRP,” Sebusa said in support of Varquez.

Sebusa said the garbage came from the neighboring cities of Mandaue and Talisay as well as from the municipality of Cordova.

He said he already proposed to the city government to make a dragger in which a net is being attached to the two pump boats that would drag the trashes. But the commission has no budget for it.

Councilor Dave Tumulak, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and Varquez said they are willing to support Sebusa’s proposal.

“As long as mo-submit sila sa (necessary) requirement (in requesting for a project),” Tumulak said.

Varquez is also planning to put a stationary net system that would catch the garbage. He hopes to finish this experiment next month.

“Within the month experimental pa. Shorter lang siya nga net system. Mga three to four weeks mobali naman sad ang hangin. ” Varquez said. They plan to place it 50 to 60 meters away from the shore.

Sebusa said aside from SRP they are also cleaning and planting mangroves at the Tonggo Islets near the SRP

“Nananom ta’g mangroves kay kining mangroves mo sawo unta sa basura ba. Igkadagko ana adto mokuan ang basura, sayon ra kuhaon,” Sebusa said. (FREEMAN)