75-ton trash retrieved from SRP’s waters

CEBU, Philippines - As the Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission wrapped up its “Scubasurero” program, it announced that it collected around 75 tons of garbage at the South Road Properties.

Bantay Dagat Director Ranulfo Sebusa said the garbage has been likely building up underwater for more than 13 years.

During the first quarter of last year, a group of Japanese volunteer divers and representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the maritime police made an underwater survey in the area and discovered the mountain of trash that measured around 15 feet high.

The group found that garbage has already covered the coral reefs and that there were fishes that got trapped inside plastic bags.

Sebusa said the city government spent P1.8 million for the “Scubasurero” cleanup campaign by utilizing 50 job order (JO) personnel and buying cleaning tools and equipment.

The cleanup started December last year and ends today.

Sebusa said he cannot assure that the operation would continue as his office is just dependent on the budget given by the city government.

He, however, assured that he would look for funds to finance the continued existence of the operation.

Sebusa said that aside from Cebu City, the trash also came from neighboring places, such as Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and Talisay City, and were just carried by underwater current to the area.

The 75 tons of garbage were all thrown at a sanitary facility in Consolacion town.

Sebusa is urging the public, especially those near the coastal areas, to throw their garbage properly.

“Akong giawhag ang katawhan duol sa mga rivers, sapa, coastal areas nga dili magpataka labay sa basura,” he said.—Mechelle P. Florita/RHM (FREEMAN)