Lapu-Lapu intensifies waste segregation rules in schools

CEBU, Philippines — The Lapu-Lapu City government, through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) under the directives of Mayor Cindi King-Chan, is strengthening the implementation of environmental policies in public schools to significantly reduce landfill waste.

One of the measures involves limiting garbage collection to only non-biodegradable and residual waste.

Biodegradable waste will instead be processed through decomposers and converted into organic fertilizer for urban gardening projects.

Under the strengthened policy, schools are now required to segregate waste at source.

Biodegradable waste such as food scraps, dried leaves, and garden waste will no longer be mixed with regular garbage for landfill disposal. Instead, these materials will be processed through composting and decomposition systems to support the city’s Urban School Gardening Program.

The initiative was reinforced during the Department of Education (DepEd) Lapu-Lapu City Division’s 5th Executive Conference, where school officials, supervisors, and education personnel were oriented on the city’s intensified environmental agenda ahead of Brigada Eskwela 2026.

City officials explained that the stricter enforcement directly addresses the growing volume of waste transported to the sanitary landfill.

By converting biodegradable waste into compost for school gardens, public schools can significantly reduce the amount of garbage disposed of by the city. Only non-biodegradable and residual waste will be hauled by garbage collectors, encouraging schools to maximize recycling and composting efforts within their campuses.

The environmental initiative also strengthens the partnership between CENRO and DepEd Lapu-Lapu City Division in implementing sustainable waste management practices in schools.

The program supports King-Chan’s directive to institutionalize environmental responsibility among students while promoting greener and cleaner learning environments.

During the conference, CENRO highlighted the strict implementation of waste segregation policies, the establishment of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), and the revival of Project CINDI (Community-Integrated Nutrition through Diverse Initiative in School Urban Gardening), now reintroduced as the Urban School Gardening Program.

Following the conference, CENRO conducted a coordination meeting on May 19, with DepEd health officials to align preparations for Brigada Eskwela and finalize implementation strategies for the environmental programs. Officer-in-charge Jocelyn Abayan met with Dr. Lynne Rose Amistad and Eddielynne Arong, DepEd Nurse II, at the CENRO Office to discuss the rollout of waste management and gardening activities in schools.

According to Abayan, the initiative aims to make environmental practices part of students’ daily routines by integrating segregation, composting, recycling, and gardening into regular school activities throughout the academic year, not only during Brigada Eskwela.

The Urban School Gardening Program will officially launch on June 1 at the Mini-Hoops Dome in Barangay Talima, Olango Island, simultaneously with the opening of Brigada Eskwela activities. The program is an expanded version of Project CINDI in School Urban Gardening, first launched on August 4, 2025, at Buyong Elementary School.

The original project was designed to improve student welfare, strengthen school-based feeding programs, promote food sustainability, and encourage entrepreneurship through urban gardening. Under the revised environmental policy, the program now also serves as a waste reduction strategy by transforming biodegradable waste into useful compost for vegetable gardens inside school campuses.

During the Executive Conference, Abayan also reiterated the importance of complying with Republic Act (RA) No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and Lapu-Lapu City Ordinance No. 484-97, widely known as the Comprehensive Environmental and Sanitation Code, both of which promote waste segregation as a source reduction measure.

She emphasized that strict segregation and composting practices in schools can substantially reduce landfill waste while teaching students long-term environmental discipline and sustainability.

To further support the initiative, CENRO committed to providing seeds and ornamental plants from the city’s central MRF to help schools establish sustainable gardens and improve campus beautification. School heads are also scheduled to attend an orientation on May 28, regarding MRF guidelines and environmental compliance measures before the start of Brigada Eskwela.

With the city government now shifting from policy presentation to full implementation, officials hope the strengthened environmental program will create cleaner schools, reduce dependence on landfill disposal, and encourage students and communities to actively participate in sustainable waste management and urban food production in Lapu-Lapu City.

In a separate environmental initiative, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7 reported that at least 355 kilograms of marine and coastal debris, along with 61 sacks of waste, were collected by more than 307 participants from 61 partner organizations during an underwater and shoreline cleanup operation across Central Visayas on May 21.

Among the three sites, Panglao in Bohol posted the highest volume of recovered waste at 250 kilograms, followed by Malapascua in Cebu with 61 kilograms, and Moalboal in Cebu with 44 kilograms.

The “Scubasurero Drive” was simultaneously conducted in key coastal areas across the region as part of a nationwide campaign promoting marine conservation and environmental awareness.

The initiative formed part of the Month of the Ocean 2026 celebration, themed “Sustaining Ocean Health, Sailing a Resilient Nation,” which highlights efforts to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainable coastal management.

DENR-7 Executive Director Laudemir Salac thanked partner organizations for their support, stressing the importance of shared responsibility in protecting marine resources.

“Our oceans are lifelines that sustain communities and future generations,” Salac said.Organizers said the activity highlights the need for continued cooperation among stakeholders in keeping coastal areas clean and strengthening long-term marine conservation efforts in Central Visayas. (CEBU NEWS)