Barangays in Mandaue receive garbage trucks

 CEBU, Philippines - All 27 barangays in Mandaue City received a garbage truck each, the realization of the project initiated by Mayor Jonas Cortes during his first term as mayor.

The city paid P21 million for the surplus trucks to RDAK, a firm engaged in the sale of second hand vehicles.

Cortes had proposed to purchase the vehicles years ago but the opposition-dominated city council had blocked and deferred his plan.

These were bought last December yet but Cortes waited for this time to release the trucks when all barangay captains had already complied with all the requirements set by the Commission on Audit (COA).

While the city government will provide the drivers and helpers and shoulder their wages, the barangays will be responsible for the maintenance and pay for the fuel.

Cortes hopes the trucks would boost the solid waste management program, and emphasized the importance of segregation, which would first start from the barangay as stipulated in the law.

"Section 10 of the Ecological Solid Waste Act of 2000 states that segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level especially for biodegradable, compostable, and reusable waste.

Seen at yesterday's turnover ceremony were barangay.

Officials whose barangays do not have garbage trucks expressed happiness over the project.

Both barangay Tawason captain Jesus Arcilla and barangay Opao captain Liza Icalina were happy about the distribution because for a long time they have been relying on the city's trucks. — THE FREEMAN