EDITORIAL – Averting a garbage crisis

Cebu has taken pride in being a boomtown. Its local economy is export-driven. While it has its share of peace and order problems, they are nothing like those of several provin-ces and major cities in Mindanao.

Like most boomtowns, Cebu has attracted migrants from other pro-vinces. And where there is rapid urban migration, urban blight is inevitable. Overcrowding and competition for resources take their toll on the quality of life. Urban dwellers quickly find themselves grappling with traffic jams, air pollution, lack of clean water and rising piles of garbage.

Cebu is not yet facing a garbage crisis. But a Japanese environmental expert warned recently that the city could face a massive garbage crisis within three years or less unless it improves its solid waste management. The expert noted, among other things, that the city lacked a solid waste segregation system and a long-term waste management plan. At least one city official has disputed the expert’s analysis. He said the landfill for Cebu’s garbage is good for a few more years. A month ago, the city started a garbage segregation and composting program, he said.

No one wants to be told that his city is starting to stink from garbage. Urban centers around the country, however, should learn some lessons from Metro Manila. To this day the National Capital Region still has no viable long-term, unified approach to a garbage crisis that continues to loom. An attempt to enforce garbage segregation and recycling fizzled out. Cleanliness in the nation’s premier region is spotty. Cities or municipa-lities blessed with competent officials and areas to dump their garbage are clean. Mismanaged cities, on the other hand, have mini Smokey Mountains even on major thoroughfares, attracting hordes of scavengers and obstructing traffic.

What is happening in Metro Manila is likely to be experienced soon by booming areas around the country. Instead of being in denial, local executives of other urban centers such as Cebu City should listen to environmentalists and see how they can avert a garbage crisis.