City braces for piles of garbage

THE COUNTRY’S Summer Capital has set measures to address the expected volume of trash during the two-day Grand Street and Float Parade of this year’s Panagbenga Festival.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan reminded organizers of this year’s Panagbenga activities like the Baguio Blooms and the Liga ng mga Barangay of their commitment to have their own street sweepers and garbage collectors to will manage garbage.

"We will be deploying street sweepers at Burnham Park and other areas in the city to make

sure of the cleanliness particularly of the garbage to be generated specially during the said dates. The General Services Office has allotted additional funds coming from the Alay Sa Kalinisan to get the services of additional street sweepers and garbage collectors to be assigned at the Central Business District," said the mayor.

Aside from the employment of additional street sweepers and garbage collectors, Domogan has asked the services of the National Youth Commission and the NSTP students to assist in the cleaning after the twin parades.

Meanwhile, Baguio City Engineering Office head Rene Zarate reiterated the reminder issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Dino for officials to ensure the cleanliness of their sidewalks and roads within their area of jurisdiction.

"It would be better for these barangay officials to step down from their positions if they could not handle the obstructions in their areas of jurisdiction," the reminder stated.

Zarate added it is important for these barangay to ensure the cleanliness of their sidewalks, streets and roads for people to have easier access.