By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA

Two large garbage bins have been installed at the Abada-Arao Relocation Site in Bacolod City’s Barangay Vista Alegre to help address the problem of illegal garbage dumping.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city received reports of illegal trash disposal in several areas of the village last month.

The mayor directed the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office, headed by officer-in-charge Allyn Luv Dignadice, to meet with Vista Alegre Captain Jose Maria Leandro Norberto de Leon to discuss solutions to the problem.

Gasataya said barangay officials should monitor garbage bins to ensure they are properly used by residents.

“The barangay and the homeowners’ association should take responsibility and demonstrate commitment to keeping their community free from scattered trash,” he said.

Gasataya also stressed that the garbage bins should be regularly monitored by the city’s garbage hauler, International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists, Inc. (ISWIM).

He added that one of the challenges is dealing with residents who dispose of their garbage outside the designated collection schedule.

Aside from Barangay Vista Alegre, Gasataya said the city plans to install large garbage bins in Barangays 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 35.

The city government earlier conducted an assessment to determine the need for garbage bins in these barangays.

The mayor added that once the bins are full, barangay officials should immediately inform the city so that ISWIM can collect and dispose of the waste properly./MAP, WDJ