Piles of garbage that have attracted swarms of flies are giving a headache to residents of Sitio Punta in Barangay Macabalan, Cagayan de Oro City.
Residents of Sitio Punta expressed concern over the piles of garbage, some of which has reportedly floated out to sea, as they reportedly disrupted their daily lives and pose health risks.
Establishments nearby have also complained of the foul smell.
The barangay chairman said the area where trash has accumulated is the only remaining pickup point for garbage from the the five collection sites established earlier.
He explained that the situation resulted from adjustments in waste collection following stricter enforcement of solid waste management regulations, including proper waste segregation and ongoing declogging of canals.
The barangay official added that most of the garbage reportedly comes from soil and debris mixed with waste collected from drainage systems.
“Information drive sa mga katawhan nga naa gyud segregation but i dont know kung unsa ang mind-setting sa mga tawo nga grabe gyud kabadlungon nga even sa ilang end diha sa ilang mga balay wala gyud segregation nga ginahimo,” Barangay Macabalan Chairman, Engr. Saniel Raypon, said.
The initial implementation of garbage collection at the designated pickup point was reportedly orderly.
However, the problem reportedly began when the entire city experienced issues in waste collection, which was further worsened by residents from other barangays repeatedly dumping garbage in the area.
“Usahay, masakpan nato dili na lang nako sa pagkuan some residents sa Puntod gapangsuguon sa mga indibidwal kay ang sistema man gud diri pick up-on ang basura unya ilabay nila og asa. Unya siguro dili nila malabay nila didto sa Puntod during wee hours kanang tulog na ang mga tao didto na nila ipanglabay without segregation,” Raypon added.
The barangay council has intensified its monitoring in the area and has begun issuing Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVRs) to those who fail to comply with waste segregation and management rules.
So far, five residents have already been fined for violations.
