UNDERVIEW

When garbage talks everybody listens
MIKE GUIMBATAN JR.

BAGUIO CITY -- Garbage crisis ends said city official. “Old waste shall be collected starting July 31, until August 14, 2008.” After that, a new chapter of garbage talk resumes. The symptom of the garbage disease was cured not the disease itself.
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The city mayor avoided talking about garbage but delegates it to the administrator. Basic management concept says only the authority is delegated because the responsibility still remains with the mayor. ***
The city council was not excused in the crisis because they failed to allocate a budget for a new landfill site nor have they set new policies that could have prevented the garbage crisis.
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Persons who do not segregate the “good” and “bad” garbage stand as the third term which is the “ugly.” Household garbage has dominant yellow and blue color. Thanks to SM who provided non-biodegradable plastic bags. May they share in the responsibility of solving the problem.
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Bigwigs in hotel and restaurant business are accordingly doing their part in solving the garbage they create. Selected media were even called to be lectured on the relationship of garbage reporting and the tourism industry. ***
But who cares about tourists when the health and sanitation of the local residents are at stake?
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A newly established movement wants the garbage management transferred from CEPMO to GSO. Same as transferring garbage from one house to another. ***
A mountain resort city with fresh pine scented air and lush greeneries was conceived at the turn of the century. If the city will do nothing, a centennial will be celebrated with a display of mounds of garbage, stench of rotten waste and colorful plastic bags.
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New Garbagetology: Basurasitis- Sickness of getting used seeing mounds of garbage along city streets. Garbagekinesis -- A stimulus response of public officials that stinks.

Basura Express -- A new money-earning transport business. Baguio-Capas,Tarlac Sisterhood- (Please share your talent in supplying the tie that binds the two local government units).
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If city council members want to spend wisely their research funds, here are some public policy proposals for their perusal:

A proposed ordinance requiring big business establishments (like SM. Country club, John Hay locators, PEZA locators, and educational institutions) to establish their own garbage management system and independently or jointly maintain their residual disposal facilities.

A proposed ordinance imposing mandatory barangay level composting and providing stiffer penalties in improper waste disposal.

A proposed ordinance mandating values orientation in garbage management in all levels of educational institutions in the city.

A proposed ordinance imposing environment management fees from big business establishments that produce non-biodegradable goods.