Floods reveal garbage woes

CEBU, Philippines — As floodwaters inundated rivers and streets across several Cebu City barangays yesterday, some residents were caught throwing garbage into swollen waterways, underscoring the city's persistent struggle with improper waste disposal even as it grapples with a worsening solid waste crisis.

Water levels rose in several rivers, including those in Lahug, Guadalupe, Ermita and Zapatera, where strong currents were recorded.

In Barangay Sapangdaku, the river reached 3.5 meters, while floodwaters in Barangay Sambag II rose to about 10 feet.

Flooding also affected major roads, including General Maxilom Avenue, Sikatuna Street, T. Padilla Street, V. Sotto Street, Bonifacio Street, General Echavez Street and M.J. Cuenco Avenue.

In Barangay Pahina Central, floodwaters entered homes, prompting residents to begin cleanup while emergency responders checked on affected families.

A landslide was also reported in NHA Busay, although no houses or residents were affected. No evacuations were ordered as floodwaters subsided later in the day.

In Barangay San Nicolas Proper, Barangay Captain Clifford Jude Ninal said floodwaters rose above the footbridge in Sitio Riverside—the highest level recorded since Typhoon Odette—leaving several residents stranded.

“Way may’ng laki makatabok ato. Pirting taasa ug kusuga sa bul-og sa tubig sa Guadalupe river…Kinatas-an gyud ni sukad pag Odette kay ni lapaw man sa foot bridge,” Ninal told The Freeman.

Videos circulating on social media showed floodwaters carrying large volumes of garbage downstream, highlighting the dangers posed by indiscriminate waste disposal.

Ninal said the problem extends beyond his barangay, noting that other village officials also struggle with residents who continue dumping trash into rivers during heavy rains.

He expressed hope that people would realize the consequences of their actions, stressing that “mubalik ra pud ni nila ilang gibuhat,” adding that flooding is aggravated not only by drainage and development issues but also by irresponsible public behavior.

The flooding came as Cebu City continues to tighten its solid waste management measures.

Mayor Nestor Archival yesterday endorsed the completed Solid Waste Management (SWM) Mapping prepared by the EcoWaste Coalition, which aims to strengthen the city's environmental programs through data-driven planning and closer collaboration with barangays and other stakeholders.

Archival said protecting the environment requires a collective effort, adding that the mapping will help guide policy formulation and support sustainable initiatives under his vision of a Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Cebu City.

The initiative complements the city's "No Segregation, No Collection" policy, which requires households to segregate waste at source or risk having their garbage left uncollected.

Cebu City's garbage problem has worsened since the collapse of the Binaliw landfill in January, which claimed the lives of 36 waste workers and one volunteer rescuer. The disaster forced the city to transport its garbage to Aloguinsan at an estimated cost of P4.2 million a day, while using the South Road Properties as a temporary garbage transfer station.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has since classified the Binaliw landfill as a "critical" site, warning of possible collapse or fire due to overcapacity.

The Senate has also launched an inquiry into the tragedy, exposing long-ignored audit findings and failures to comply with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Those deficiencies continue to hound the city as clogged waterways and improper waste disposal worsen flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, meteorologist Engr. Oscar Tabada warned that more rain is expected in the coming days.

For yesterday, localized forecasts called for rain showers and scattered thunderstorms in the morning, with moderate to heavy rains expected to intensify in the afternoon, raising the risk of flash floods and landslides.

For today, July 22, similar weather conditions are forecast, with morning showers, moderate to heavy afternoon rains and thunderstorms, evening showers, and overcast skies overnight.

Winds are expected to range from 10 to 15 kilometers per hour from the southwest, while coastal waters will remain slight to moderate.

The probability of rain stands at 60 percent, with flash floods and landslides again identified as potential hazards. — /FPL (FREEMAN)