2nd Guadalupe River cleanup set for Saturday

CEBU, Philippines — With heaps of trash piling up in the 42-kilometer Guadalupe River, the Cebu City government will embark on a massive cleanup drive on Saturday.

All City Hall employees and barangay officials are enjoined to take part in the four-hour cleanup from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

“I have issued a memorandum to all barangay officials to participate in the massive cleaning and dredging on August 17,” said Mayor Edgardo Labella.

The memorandum also indicates the respective cleaning stations where the officials are assigned in.

The eight stations where the cleanup will take place are Sandayong Bridge, Haarlemmermeer City Bridge, M. Velez Bridge, B. Rodriguez Bridge, P. Del Rosario Bridge, Guadalupe Bridge, Sanciangko Bridge, and Topaz Bridge.

In a separate memorandum, City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr. has directed all 5,000 City Hall workers— regular, casual, and job orders —to join the cleanup drive.

The employees are also required to bring their own personal protective equipment and cleaning materials.

Lawyer John Jigo Dacua, head of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office, said his office has also tapped Cebu City Police Office and the Philippine Navy to participate in the cleanup.

“The mayor’s directive is to clean first the Guadalupe River before proceeding to other river systems,” he said.

Aside from the cleanup, he said, the city will also hold information and education campaign for the residents and establishment owners on the adverse effects of indiscriminate disposal of trash into the river.

Residents and business owners along the three-meter easement zone of Guadalupe River will also be asked to join the cleanup.

It would be the second time for the city government to clean the city’s longest river.

The first initiative was done on March 16 which resulted in the collection of 30 tons of garbage from the Guadalupe River. (FREEMAN)