Cebu’s Waste Disposal System: No Segregation, No Collection

Dec. 8, 2012 by OC Team

I’ve been to Metro Manila lately and it just so happened that I had to throw our garbage in a bin outside. Unknowingly, I began to ask our helper, “Asa ang malata ani? (Which one is for the biodegradable waste?)”. And I begin to realize, I’m not in Cebu, why I should look for that anyway? However, a realization came to me and at the back of my mind I know something good is certain. That thing of proper waste segregation became my habit and it is a plus point for me.

It’s almost a year now when the City of Cebu started the strict implementation of the ordinance, “No Segregation, No Collection” campaign. Posters can be seen in the Barangay Halls or in the public places scattered all over the city encouraging citizens to observe proper waste disposal. Several bins are also painted biodegradable or nonbiodegradable signage to point where the garbage should be. Oh and by the way, some are in the local dialect so I made a little dictionary of Cebuano terms for you to be guided.

Terms(in Cebuano Dialect)	Translation
Malata	Biodegradable
Di - Malata	Non-Biodegradable
Magamit Pa	Recyclable
Makahilo	Toxic

So as I am writing this article, I went through news items and reviews about this move by the city government. The little research about this effective campaign actually delighted me. I learned that some cities in the country did a lot of strategy to follow what Cebu City is aiming for. To name a few, Baguio City and Bacolod City complied to this motive in accordance to the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000:

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, CREATING THE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AND INCENTIVES, DECLARING CERTAIN ACTS PROHIBITED AND PROVIDING PENALTIES, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES^

But not everyone was happy about this campaign. There was a write up claiming to give the side of the scavengers what used to be the sanitary landfill in Inayawan who are affected by the campaign.* But for me, I rather focus on the positive impact it may bring to the greater number of Cebuanos, who will surely gain in terms of cleanliness and discipline.

I even remember the instance when a sudden rain caused the rise of water in the Reclamation Area because of improper waste disposal and blockage of water flow in the drainage and canals. It was near the SM City and Mabolo area where a lot of property damage and heavy traffic were seen. This campaign is a big leap to avoid that incident to happen again.

For me, this step of Cebu City government should highly be praised but hopefully it will not end too easily. Let us support this good advocacy and together, let’s work hand in hand in creating our Cebu a better place to live.

Remember, everything is connected to everything else. Your effort today may be of great help for a better tomorrow. Keep segregating and keep it going. Let us be one, for Cebu and for the whole world too.

Schedule of Garbage Collection: