EDITORIAL — Collective and citywide approach

At least four highly populated barangays in Cebu City have been identified to be part of the so-called “discipline zones” as the city government intends to bring its “Gubat sa Baha” to the next level.

Santo Niño, Parian, Tinago and San Roque will compose some major barangays in the city’s downtown area where environmental laws regarding indiscriminate throwing of trash are set to be strictly implemented.

Task Force Gubat sa Baha deputy head Jefferson Omandam said the undertaking penalizes those caught throwing trash into the river from the four barangays. “Anybody caught throwing anything sa mga sapa will suffer the full force of the law.”

This is a good start in the drive to end the flooding problem in the city. However, it would be better if the Cebu City Hall would include all barangays, including those upland villages, under the “discipline zones” in order for the campaign to be more effective.

Commissioning every village in the city so every resident can contribute in his/her own little way in the effort to protect the rivers and creeks, and the environment in general, is vital to the success of the program.

Everyone's participation in the campaign against flooding is crucial because the problem, for it to be solved, needs the cooperation of the entire community. Therefore, the Cebu City Hall should summon every citizen of the city to do his/her part.

In a city long saddled with outdated drainage system, flooding does not really have to occur from overflowing rivers and creeks. Any clogged canal is a potential source of flood during heavy rains. So why tap only the barangays near the rivers when flooding has become a citywide concern?

A collective effort and a citywide approach are what we need if we want to gain the upper hand against this decades-old problem.