Cimatu calls on agencies to help clean up Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  Former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu wants a concerted effort in cleaning up Cebu City toward a Singapore-like vision.

Cimatu, according to a report from the city’s Public Information Office, has requested the national agencies to help the city in addressing the buildup of garbage in rivers and waterways.

Aside from that, Cimatu has also called on other sectors to help including in the upcoming coastal clean-up on September 17.

“This clean-up will be the first step for the entire Gubat sa Baha,” said Atty. Jerone Castillo, Mayor Michael Rama’s special assistant, during its last coordination meeting with different stakeholders at the Mayor’s Office.

Representatives from the City Government, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Cebu Contractors Association (CCA), and Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), among others, attended the meeting.

DPWH-7 and Cebu City District Engineering Office have committed to deploying an amphibious floating excavator, two backhoes, two loading machines, and two dump trucks.

Lawyer Gerry Carillo is also named as the overall ground commander for the cleanup activity and to be assisted by Reymarr Hijara, the Mayor’s special assistant on environmental concerns.

The upcoming clean-up will be spread out in the city’s seven major rivers during the simultaneous clean-up activity.

Aside from those who showed up in the last coordination meeting, the Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other non-government organizations are also expected to deploy personnel to help during the cleanup.

Prior to the city-wide clean-up drive, the city government has already also started declogging per instruction of the retired general, Cimatu. — GMR (FREEMAN)