BAGUIO CITY – The city government pressed barangay officials and residents here for more vigilance in complying with the waste segregation policy and in taking the lead in managing and safeguarding garbage piles to make the city's segregation-based waste collection system more effective.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan said barangays must step up efforts in segregating to avoid the piling up of wastes as the city sustains its no-segregation-no-collection policy.
Garbage piles have been observed in different parts of the city including the city market and city environment and parks management office (CEPMO) head Cordelia Lacsamana said these were not collected due to improper segregation.
She said these will be collected once these have been properly sorted out by the barangays in charge.
Lacsamana said the barangays must also exercise volunteerism in safeguarding their wastes in times when the collectors and dump trucks are either late or unable to collect the trash on the scheduled dates.
"There are instances when the trucks are not available and the collection is delayed and during these times, we rely on the barangay officials and residents to safeguard the garbage piles by covering them until the trucks arrive," Lacsamana said.
The city officials also encouraged the barangay heads to take the lead in adapting the present garbage collection system to the needs of their barangays.
"If the system is not applicable or not working in their barangays, then they can coordinate with us so we can make the necessary adjustments," Lacsamana said.
She cited the efforts of the punong barangays of Campo Filipino and Lower Magsaysay who personally coordinated with the CEPMO in adjusting their collection system.
Since both barangays are situated on a national road, they decided to do away with the daily collection schedule and instead adopt a one-a-week collection scheme to control the dumping in the area.
"I think the effort of said barangays to take a lead role in adjusting the system is laudable since they worked out the problem with a positive outlook. I hope other barangays will follow their example because nothing cannot be solved if we will all cooperate," Lacsamana said.
