CEBU, Philippines - To promote eco-innovative waste management, Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds, Wildlife, Ecology and Environmental Management is proposing a “Zero Waste” scheme for next month’s Sinulog celebration.
The city has been collecting tons of wastes every Sinulog, which is flocked by millions of people, despite its constant reminder on waste segregation and proper disposal of garbage.
This year, the city has collected 174 tons of garbage, which is 13 tons lesser than last year’s 187 tons.
The waste collected in 2013, however, was higher by 113 percent or by 165 tons than the amount of garbage collected in 2012.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resouces-7 said Cebu City has an estimated waste discharge of more than 500 tons or 0.7 kilogram per person per day.
Councilor Nida Cabrera, chairman of the City Parks and Playground Commission, said the city has to observe zero waste every January as declared by President Benigno Aquino III by virtue of Proclamation No. 760 as “Zero Waste Month.”
She said the proclamation aims to establish ethical, economical and efficient tool to guide people in changing lifestyles and practices towards wastes.
“Also, to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use,” she said.
Republic Act No. 9003 also prohibits littering, throwing, dumping of waste in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same.
The undertaking is in coordination with other environmental groups, SEED4COM, Let’s Do It Philippines, Sinulog Foundation Incorporated and city’s Department of Public Services.
These non-government organizations and local government departments would be conducting information drive as to the locations of trash bins, water stations, and medic and tourist help desks, among others. DPS, tasked to handle the city’s garbage disposal, has noted an increase in the amount of garbage collected.
Some 300 volunteers are expected to undertake the project.
Cabrera said the public including the revelers and travelers have to help eliminate, if not, reduce or minimize the discharge of wastes during Sinulog.
“While we don’t diminish the importance of the religious and cultural activities during the Sinulog celebration, every one of us should be equally mindful of the enormous piles of garbage likely to be ge-nerated,” the councilor said. (FREEMAN)