HEAT ON TRASH TEAM

Some 1,500 garbage loaders in Cebu City will face another performance review in 2018, following reports of extortion Before leaving for his vacation, Mayor Tomas Osmeña warned he would cut off workers’ allowances if the complaints are true

Mayor says he received reports that garbage loaders are collecting money from businessmen

Starting next year, the Cebu City Government will be reevaluating the performances of around 1,500 garbage loaders, following reports of extortion.

Before leaving for the United States last week, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he received reports about loaders allegedly collecting trash from big establishments and asking for huge collection fees.

“Next year will be better than this year because we will cut off all their allowances. We’re not going to let these garbage collectors make a business and then we’re going to pay them so they can collect money? Naunsa man na uy (What is that?),” he said.

If he makes good on his word, this will not be the first time the mayor will be suspending the distribution of the allowances.

Next year will be better than this year because we will cut off all their allowances. We’re not going to let these garbage collectors make a business and then we’re going to pay them so they can collect money? Naunsa man na uy? MAYOR TOMAS OSMEÑA

Last February, Osmeña stopped the giving of cash allowances for all barangay tanods and garbage loaders after the City conducted the reevaluation. Many of them were allegedly not performing their duties and some alleged used illegal drugs. Each of the tanods and loaders is getting P4,000 from the City Government.

One village has at least 15 loaders.

Three months later, the City restored the allowances of all barangay tanods and loaders who underwent drug tests and tested negative.

Sought for comment on this new development, Association of Barangay Councils president Philip Zafra said he has no qualms on the evaluation, provided that it is done fairly.

“I just hope that the evaluation is done fairly and is really intended to gauge the performance of one and not just to make it as a lame excuse for cutting off unfairly their honoraria from the City, which is, by the way, always delayed for like five months or even more,” he said.

Zafra, who is also Tisa village chief, said that the loaders have been doing their jobs “religiously.” Tisa alone has some 17 loaders.

“They’ve been exposed to the elements and yet they’re working day in and day out. However, the delays of their honoraria are from the City’s end. They’re a big help to the city in terms of garbage collection and solid waste management,” he said.

Zafra observed that if a reevaluation is necessary, then City Hall should review the performance of the Department of Public Services, which oversees all the garbage collection activities in the city. /