Barangays ask for more fuel for garbage trucks

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City’s Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) has asked the city government to increase the monthly fuel allocation for garbage trucks to address the garbage disposal problem of the city.

ABC president and Tisa Barangay Captain Phillip Zafra said it is important that the Department of Public Services (DPS) work hand in hand with the barangays in maintaining cleanliness in the community.

“Mohangyo ko nga patas-an kay if there’s a need for DPS to monitor, maayo unta nga magtinabangay mi, sila mismo makadeterminar kun unsa ang additional nga panginahanglan kay, after all, wala ma’y barangay nga dili gusto mokolekta sa basura kay kami man ang dukdukon sa mga residente,” he said.

Zafra further said there are instances when barangay officials had to use their personal resources for fuel and maintenance of the garbage trucks so that it would not hamper the collection process.

“It’s just that usahay dili nato kalikayan nga aside nga makulangang fuel allocation, usahay makakuot og personal ang mga barangay officials para makagasolina … Usahay sad not in good condition ang  mga sakyanan, so ang akoang suggestion, if welcome ang DPS, naa joint monitoring ang ABC ug DPS. Now and then, mag-assess mi,” he said.

If DPS will welcome the suggestion, Zafra will let them determine how much gasoline is needed by the garbage trucks per day to compute for the appropriate monthly allocation.

Zafra said that for their barangay, they receive 150 liters of fuel per month from the city government.

In addition, ABC Vice President and Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said increasing their fuel allocation is a big help to the barangay as far as collecting trash is concerned.

However, General Services Office Acting Head Ronaldo Malacora said that the fuel allowance of the barangays is not across the board because it depends on the type of garbage truck units and the location of the barangay relative to the trash disposal area.

“Ang duol, gamay ra og allocation, ang lagyo taas.Ang ikaduha nga rason ana sa unit pud. Ang gagmay nga unit gamay na og allocation. Kun dako, dagko og allocation kay dagko man og konsumo,” Malacora told The FREEMNAN.

Malacora added that his office has not yet received any request letter coming from the ABC regarding their request to increase the fuel allocation.

The mayor’s office has the final authority to approve the fuel allocation increase. (FREEMAN)