Sinulog revelers leave 1,000-ton garbage

Local

THE streets of Cebu City were a sea of celebration on Sunday, Jan. 18, but behind the colorful floats and dancing contingents, sanitation workers were busy tackling a massive aftermath.

This comes as an estimated 1,000 tons of garbage were left in the wake of the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Mayor Nestor Archival said the large crowd, estimated at 5.2 million by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), was a key factor in the sheer volume of waste, despite the city’s ongoing efforts to encourage proper disposal.

“While the city’s daily garbage typically ranges from 500 to 600 tons, this year’s Sinulog pushed that figure to 1,000 tons,” he said.

Cleanup operations began just hours after the parade ended. Street sweepers cleared plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other debris along the main parade routes of P. Del Rosario St., Osmeña Blvd., General Maxilom Ave., and Imus Ave.

By early Monday, Jan. 19, the roads were cleared, thanks to coordinated efforts by the Department of Public Services, Barangay Enforcement Office, septage teams, and the Emergency Environmental Response Team.

Archival said the city is already studying ways to improve waste management for next year, including a plan to require each festival contingent to organize its own cleanup team.

In a push toward sustainability, collected plastic bottles were segregated and sent to a transfer site instead of being dumped in landfills.

The city’s shredding machine was relocated to the Carbon Public Market to support composting and reduce waste.

The mayor has also requested that the national government provide a shredder for every barangay or allow local governments to use part of their financial assistance to procure their own if supplies are unavailable.

Meanwhile, Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the City Council Committee on Environment, said this year’s waste volume was comparable to last year.

“By 2 p.m., a significant portion of the streets was already clean. By 5 p.m., the areas under our responsibility were completely cleared,” he said.

Garganera praised the efforts of environmental volunteers who roamed the parade routes collecting plastics and bottles, as well as the increased use of strategically placed waste baskets.

“Anything that reduces the amount of garbage going to the landfill or open dumpsites is a welcome development,” he added.

He noted, however, that some litter was still observed due to the massive turnout.

“With so many attendees, it’s natural to see scattered trash. But the volunteers helped, and this was a good educational campaign for proper waste management,” he said.

Garganera emphasized that efforts must extend beyond the parade routes.

“City-owned, barangay-owned, and private properties must ensure their trash is covered, and garbage trucks need to be cleaned and sanitized before leaving facilities,” he said.

He highlighted Barangay Polog in Consolacion, where temporary disposal operations take place, stressing the importance of preventing trash from spilling onto roads used by visitors and residents alike.

“Whether we like it or not, these are the routes our garbage trucks use. It’s important to be mindful and prevent litter from spreading,” Garganera said.(TGP)