Lapu-Lapu City Launches Purok-Based Solid Waste Management System
The Lapu-Lapu City Government officially launched the Purok-Based Solid Waste Management System on Friday, February 13, 2026. This innovative initiative shifts the responsibility of trash sorting directly to neighborhoods and households, aiming to significantly reduce the massive volume of garbage that ends up in landfills.
Bringing Solutions to Your Doorstep
Mayor Ma. Cynthia "Cindi" Chan announced that City Ordinance 17-016-2025 is now the law of the land. This ordinance mandates every home to strictly separate their trash into distinct categories, such as recyclables and biodegradable waste.
"We will strictly implement our solid waste management ordinances with consistent monitoring," Mayor Chan stated. She emphasized that the program requires the "full support and active participation" of every household, school, and local business to succeed.
How the New "Eco-Warrior" System Works
To ensure organization, the City is establishing designated holding stations. Instead of leaving trash haphazardly, clusters of households will share one specific area to dispose of their waste at predetermined times.
To maintain order, the City has assigned "eco-warriors" to each station. These community guardians will:
- Keep a detailed record of participating households.
- Ensure only authorized residents use the stations.
- Monitor collection schedules to prevent trash from accumulating.
Once collected, the waste is transported to a neighborhood facility for sorting. Any materials that cannot be reused are sent to a main facility in Barangay Mactan before reaching the final dumpsite.
Why This Change Matters Now
The City’s environment officer, Jocelyn Abayan, described the current garbage situation as "alarming," particularly in light of recent waste disposal issues in Binaliw, Cebu City. She warned that littering and failure to sort trash lead to clogged drains, polluted oceans, and the spread of diseases.
By composting food scraps into fertilizer and increasing recycling efforts, the City anticipates reducing the volume of waste sent to the dumpsite by 10 to 20 percent.
A Call for Regional Action
Mayor Chan is not only focusing on Lapu-Lapu but is also urging regional leaders to develop a specialized facility capable of converting waste into energy. She noted that rising waste amounts and the high cost of hauling trash are creating both environmental and financial challenges for the city.
By emphasizing discipline at the household level and upgrading local facilities, Lapu-Lapu City aims to foster a cleaner, more sustainable future for all its residents.
