The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) reported a 10 percent to 20 percent increase in garbage volume during the holiday season, driven largely by unsold fruits and packaging materials.
CENRO head Neil Ravena said most of the waste were rotten or overripe fruits, particularly those used for the traditional New Year displays, such as the 13 round fruits.
“On the other hand, we collected lesser firecracker debris this year. Maybe it was due to the campaign of the Department of Health and the Philippine National Police against the use of firecrackers,” he told reporters.
During the peak holiday period from Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, waste collection reached 480 tons daily, up from the usual 400 tons.
About 60 percent of the waste comprised biodegradables, 20 percent were packaging materials such as cartons and styrofoam, and 10 percent were firecracker remnants.
To manage the increase, the city deployed three additional garbage trucks alongside those of a private contractor, focusing on high-traffic areas, such as the terminal market, JM Basa, Iznart, and Delgado streets. By the morning of Jan. 1, major thoroughfares were clean.
Ravena urged residents to dispose of garbage responsibly at designated points and reduce reliance on plastic trays and styrofoam to minimize landfill waste.Perla Lena/PNA
