The General Services Office is urging residents and visitors anew to cooperate in the city’s waste reduction efforts to help cut down on garbage disposal costs.
The GSO spends P200 million yearly on waste disposal which is still mainly carried out in Capas, Tarlac due to the absence of an ecological landfill in the city.
Della said each ton of waste incurs a disposal cost of P2,200.
She said the city produces 550 tons of garbage every day broken down as follows: approximately 40 percent biodegradables, 25 percent recyclables, 30-35 percent residuals, and remaining percentage, special wastes.
The central business district produces the most wastes every day and to keep up, garbage collection needs to be done twice a day to contain the wastes produced and maintain cleanliness and orderliness.
Meanwhile, the garbage collection in the barangays is done once a week.
With the estimation that each individual produces at least half a kilo of garbage every day and a population of around 400,000, it comes as no surprise that the city generates a substantial amount of waste.
Assistant GSO Ma. Guadalupe Della said the large amount of annual expense for waste disposal could have been spent on more valuable projects that can benefit the community.
She said GSO makes every effort to reduce the waste production of the city.
The office diligently adheres to and implements the garbage collection system to the best of their ability. They also strengthen the advocacies on reduction and segregation of wastes, and create collaboration with the barangays, academies, and non-governmental organizations.
While the city is working out ways to effect a long-term waste management system, residents and tourists as waste generators can help reduce expenses and contribute positively to the environment by actively participating in waste reduction efforts.
Della reminded that as solid waste generators, people have two responsibilities: to segregate and reduce waste.
Every business or household should have designated garbage bins for biodegradable, non-biodegradable, recyclables, and the like for proper segregation and it is also best to use reusable items, such as cups, straws, and containers, to minimize waste production especially from food-related products.
In addition, proper disposal of garbage is crucial; it should be placed inside the garbage bins as she noted instances where individuals failed to use the bins properly, opting instead to place garbage on top of the bin covers.
She said discipline and a sense of responsibility is a key in making the city’s waste reduction efforts a success. – Precious Yanna G. Vergara and Aileen P. Refuerzo
