Labella, Gullas lead joint river cleanup

CEBU, Philippines — The cities of Cebu and Talisay yesterday conducted a joint cleanup activity in Bulacao River.

No less than the two local chief executives--Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas—led the volunteers in cleaning up the river.

Bulacao River, which divides the cities of Cebu and Talisay, was earlier declared dead by the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas because of high contamination.

“When it comes to river cleanups, it’s a way to show nga naay gobyerno nga willing mulimpyo,” said Gullas.

He said showing to the people that the government is willing to clean up the river is the first phase of his three-phase agenda on solutions for cleanliness.

“Second phase will be right legislation, nga kung naa na pud mulabay utro naa nay penalty, and ang third kay manakop na gyud ta,” said Gullas.

Gullas aims for a long term solution through the help of the City Council for the penal provisions and to amend the legislation and raise the penalties against the violators.

According to the Cebu City Community Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), the six-kilometer downstream of the river needs the most help because of the high concentration of garbage.

Thus, the government would want to enforce the law for a stricter observance when it comes to cleanliness and proper waste disposal.

“At the end of the day ang paglimpyo kay short-term solution, ang long term solution kay ang magtinabangay ang pribado ug gobyerno para malimpyo ang atong katilingban,” said Gullas.

Labella shared that yesterday’s joint cleanup activity was really an effort of both local government units.

“We will continue to reach out with each other. Because no man is an island, dili gyud na mahimo na dili ta magkuyog kay inig baha sa Talisay, dili man sab mahitabo na muhunong lang sa Talisay muabot man gyud na sa Sugbo ug ang traffic didto dili man sab mahimo na dili muabot sa mupadulong sa south,” said Labella.

Department of Public Works and Highways was tasked to install fences on the bridges along the national road to prevent the people from throwing their garbage into river.  FPL (FREEMAN)