The Bacolod City government enjoined Bacolodnons to take part in flood mitigation efforts after 26 tons of garbage were dredged from Mambuloc Creek on Thursday, July 10.

In a statement yesterday, Mayor Greg Gasataya, who personally supervised the initial dredging operation, said civic participation is critical to the long-term success of the initiative.

“I urge everyone to take part in protecting the environment. Maintaining clean waterways is a shared responsibility of the people,” he said.

The clean-up drive in waterways is part of the city’s flood mitigation efforts targeting vulnerable areas, including Barangays 2, 8 and 10, which are located in the city proper, adjacent to shopping malls and other major business establishments.

“We can clean this today, but if people keep throwing trash, nothing will change. Cooperation is the key. While the city can implement infrastructure solutions, lasting change requires active participation from the community,” Gasataya said.

To help maintain the cleanliness of the creek, he said the city would install catch nets and other reinforcements along the waterways.

Based on the waste analysis and characterization study of the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, Bacolod generates an average of 577 tons of garbage each day, about 400 tons of which enter the sanitary landfill daily. (PNA)