CEBU LEADERS ADDRESS WASTE CRISIS AT ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT
CEBU, Philippines — Government officials, environmental experts and stakeholders convened March 19 at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu for a summit focused on waste management solutions, an event spearheaded by the Cebu Provincial Government.
The summit, titled “Cebu’s Waste Dilemma and Potential Solution Interventions,” provided a platform to address pressing waste challenges and develop sustainable, collaborative strategies.
Attendees included Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, members of the Provincial Board, municipal mayors and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-7 and the Department of Economy, Planning and Development-7.
In remarks, Archival emphasized the need for sustained collaboration among stakeholders to address Cebu’s growing waste concerns and expressed hope for a follow-up summit to maintain momentum.
Archival demonstrated a practical solution by showing a video on creating a compost bin from a discarded bucket and biodegradable materials, urging the public to adopt reduce, reuse and recycle principles.
Engr. Editha Peros, head of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office, shared the city’s ongoing waste management efforts. She highlighted strengthened initiatives under the Management and Improvement Program, including the establishment of Materials Recovery Facilities at Carbon Market, SRP Bagsakan and Kalunasan.
Other initiatives include intensified education campaigns, improved waste segregation and expanded partnerships for plastic waste management such as PET bottle and shredded plastic programs. The city continues to engage businesses, schools, hospitals and restaurants while advancing long-term solid waste management planning and composting activities in designated EcoParks.
The summit concluded with the signing of a pledge of commitment led by Baricuatro, symbolizing unified resolve to strengthen waste management systems across Cebu.
