2024 Sinulog waste: A review

An estimated 3 million people came for the 2024 Sinulog. They came for the Santo Niño Feast and the Sinulog Fiesta.

When 2024 Sinulog came to an end, a total of 202.3 tons of waste was left behind, according to Engr. John Paul Gelasque, head of Cebu City’s Department of Public Services (DPS)

The waste was collected from the Sinulog venue at the South Road Properties (SRP). However, more waste was collected around the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Plaza Independencia, Gen. Maxilom Avenue, and Colon Street.

For 2023, Sinulog waste collected was about 181.4 tons from about more than a half million spectators and worshippers.

If the number of people account for the total waste volume collected, three million Sinulog spectators would have generated more waste than the reported collected 202.3 tons for 2024 Sinulog, right?

Both DPS Gelasque and Reymarr Hijara of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) agree that ”this year’s Sinulog celebration was “cleaner” compared to last year’s Sinulog.”

In a Sinulog 2024 Debriefing CCENRO and CESET Report dated January 23 sent to the Social Welfare Cluster, CCENRO Hijara noted: “The Sinulog Festival of 2024 saw notable environmental management successes and identified areas for improvement. The coordinated effort between the CCENRO and the City Environment Sanitation Enforcement Team (CESET) brought about a cleaner celebration with significant waste reduction.

“The proactive involvement of vendors, volunteers, and barangay environmental officers was pivotal in the operational achievements. While several systems worked well, there are actionable steps identified to further enhance the festival's environmental sustainability measures in future years.”

According to Hijara, what worked well included: 1.) Increased focus on and wider dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) that increased awareness and compliance from a better-informed public on environmental policies, 2.) Stronger enforcement efforts that resulted in decreased garbage accumulation. Vendors took personal accountability for the cleanliness of their areas, 3.) Effective deployment of 20 Eco-Stations that facilitated efficient waste collection, 4.) Active participation by barangay environmental officers and civic group volunteers that contributed to the success of the waste management strategies.

The following need to be improved, according to Hijara: 1.) Waste collection facilities --deployment of more frequent and strategically placed Eco-Stations is necessary, installation of additional and larger garbage bins near high-traffic areas should be prioritized;

2.) Garbage collection accessibility --regular collection schedule for garbage trucks should be instituted to prevent waste build-up. Creating dedicated service lanes for waste collection vehicles would streamline operations;

3.) Personnel deployment --an increased number of personnel composed of barangay environmental officers and volunteers is needed for better coverage and effectiveness;

4.) Solid waste management plan --earlier and comprehensive implementation of IEC regarding environmental law compliance, supported by media, is critical. Commitment to a solid waste management plan for the entire event, including contingents' specific waste collection strategies;

5.) Signage and visibility --improved signage for Eco-Stations to ensure visibility in crowded conditions is necessary;

6.) Integration of volunteers --earlier coordination and integration of volunteers to minimize logistical challenges;

7.) Food distribution and waste --designation of food distribution points with waste collection measures to streamline waste management;

8.) Producer responsibility --engaging the producers of high-waste products like PET bottles to share the responsibility for waste collection and management; and,

9.) Confetti management --addressing the challenges in the cleanup of confetti and exploring environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Hijara’s prompt review of the 2024 Sinulog waste campaign can serve as action points for the 2025 Sinulog waste campaign.

Efforts to involve multi-sectoral stakeholders should be initiated early this year, hopefully, including the commitment of more participants --religious groups, businesses, schools/ universities, civil society organizations and others which, Hijara correctly observes, “will be crucial in amplifying our efforts to maintain Cebu City's environmental integrity during large-scale events like Sinulog.”

“Hijara’s prompt review of the 2024 Sinulog waste campaign can serve as action points for the 2025 Sinulog waste campaign.”