DPS needs more street cleaners

CEBU, Philippines -  Officials of Cebu City Hall’s Department of Public Services (DPS) see the need to hire at least 40 job order workers for next year because of their plan to deploy street cleaners at the South Road Properties.

DPS head Dionesio Gualiza said they do not have enough personnel to be assigned regularly at the SRP but since establishments are already being constructed at the SRP, the city should deploy street sweepers to maintain cleanliness in the area.

Gualiza explained that since the SRP is a 295-hectare land, the DPS needs more personnel so he is recommending  for the hiring of at least 40 job order workers who are not more than 40 years old.

In a press briefing, Gualiza failed to give the exact number of DPS personnel who are presently assigned to the street cleaning division.

Meanwhile, Gualiza admitted that his department had failed to comply with his announcement to implement Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

Gualiza earlier announced that effective July 1, the DPS garbage collectors will implement the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy. But he admitted that such policy is not strictly implemented even if most of the urban barangays in the city have their own Barangay Environmental Officers (BEO) whose task is to apprehend the violators of the provisions of Republic Act 9003.

The wastes are just brought first to the “transfer station” at the Inayawan Sanitary Landfil and at the Block 27 in North Reclamation Area where the segregation of garbage will be conducted before these will be brought to a landfill in Consolacion.

Mayor Michael Rama is not in favor that the portion of Block 27, which is just very near SM Mall, will be made as transfer station of garbage to avoid foul smell in the area. (FREEMAN)