DENR to install trash traps at CDO creek

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will install trash traps along Bitanag Creek as part of its effort to address the growing solid waste problem in Cagayan de Oro City.

DENR Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) Executive Director Henry Adornado signed an agreement with Barangay Lapasan Chairman Julito Ogsimer and Barangay Puntod Chairman Rexie Tinampay for the implementation of the pilot project in the two areas.

Under the agreement, the DENR and the barangay (villages) will maintain two units of trash traps in Bitan-ag Creek to prevent garbage from flowing into rivers and seas.

“The project also aims to motivate coastal communities to innovate local solutions to address solid waste and to promote an income-generating, communitybased enterprise,” Adornado said.

Bitan-ag Creek is one of Cagayan de Oro’s major drainage lines that cuts across the city’s main business district at Limketkai Center.

Adornado said the project will help mitigate the flow of trash into Macajalar Bay.

He added that Bitan-ag Creek along Lapasan and Puntod contributes the biggest volume of wastes to Macajalar Bay.

“We see the Trash Trap Project in Bitan-ag Creek as an innovative solution to this issue, in partnership with all of you. I am confident that with your strong commitment, manifested by the signing of the MoA today, we will be able to attain our objective in the name of public service,” Adornado added.

He said that 57,000 pieces of PET bottles will be collected by the DENR through its Trash for Rice Campaign to construct the trash traps.

“The Trash Trap project is in support of DENR’s Tayo ang Kalikasan advocacy campaign and the multi-stakeholder project ‘Challenge for Change Program: CDO Limpyo Dagat Initiative,’ which includes the DENR regional office,” Adornado said.

He said that DENR Region 10 will provide funds for the honorarium of two trash trap caretakers of Barangay Lapasan and capacitate the local government units for the operation of the trash traps in coordination with the Environmental Management Bureau.

For 2022, Region 10 is projected to generate 604,952 kilograms of solid waste per day based on the 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan of Cagayan de Oro City.