MINIMIZE GARBAGE. The Davao City government calls on residents on Monday (Dec. 19, 2022) to minimize their wastes, especially during the Yuletide season. As of November, some 20,237 tons of garbage have been dumped in their landfill. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
DAVAO CITY – The city government is urging residents to minimize their wastes, particularly during the Yuletide season.
Engr. Lakandiwa Orcullo, acting head of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office-Environmental Waste Management Division, said they are anticipating volumes of wastes usually during the holiday season.
In a radio interview Monday, Orcullo underscored the importance of reducing the volume of garbage that would ultimately end up in the city's landfill.
"Dabawenyos are urged to minimize their waste output by segregating waste to be recycled and reused. Around 700 to 750 tons of garbage are dumped in the city landfill each day. This number will likely rise significantly this holiday season," he said.
He noted that the volume of garbage is higher than average in December and January.
As of November this year, he said around 20,237 tons of garbage have already dumped in the landfill.
Despite efforts to extend the sanitary landfill’s life-span, Orcullo said the facility is still approaching its full capacity, making reduction of waste generated in the city a serious concern.
Among the waste reduction measures, Orcullo said, is requiring households to segregate their garbage and dispose only the residual waste while making use of biodegradables and recyclables.
Barangay officials, he said, have an important role in reducing waste generation through consistent enforcement of the rules governing the composting and materials recovery.
Orcullo also reminded residents on the importance of reducing the chance of solid waste ending up as marine litter, which not only cause harm to the environment but can also worsen the flooding in the city. (PNA)
