River cleanup yields less trash

Cebu City’s first citywide cleanup drive for 2024 raked in less garbage for the same period last year, but it was able to do some segregation for recycling.

Over 87 tons of garbage was collected during the city’s 15th Cebu Citywide Clean-up Challenge last Saturday based on the report from the Department of Public Services head John Paul Gelasque, through the city’s Public Information Office.

The biggest haul of garbage came from the Lahug River with 29.5 tons, followed by that of the Guadalupe River with 19 tons, and Mahiga River with18 tons.

Kinalumsan River yielded 8 tons, Bulacao River 4.6 tons, Butuanon River 3.48 tons, Estero de Parian 3.2 tons, and Tagunol River 1.6 tons.

Last year, the city government was able to collect over 97 tons of mixed garbage from different parts of the city.

City Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Reymarr Hijara said that they have yet to determine why they collected less garbage in the first quarter of this year compared to last.

Initially though, Hijara noted that it may be due to fewer participating volunteers, although accordingly some of them also had difficulties scanning their QR code for attendance.

Aside from that, some barangays as well as city government personnel had also conducted clean-up drives.

Even with a smaller collection though, Hijara said they were able to separate recyclables.

Initial collection by the Coastal Management Board was around 300 kilos which will then be sold via “cash for trash program” which Hijara said may have also been done by others.

During the opening of the clean-up drive, Mayor Michael Rama reminded participants to make it a way of life and not only for picture-taking purposes.

"Make it a way of life. Di na pwede pa picture, paghuman pa picture. Nagpakauwaw mo sa inyong kaugalingon kung papicture ra. Bring it to your heart, bring it in your heart. Because when your heart speaks, your mind will listen. Heart is where God is," the mayor said.