In a significant move to improve local sanitation, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has formally turned over a fleet of brand-new dump trucks to twelve barangays. The blessing and distribution ceremony was held at Plaza Independencia, marking a major step in decentralizing the city's waste management system.
Project Funded by Previous Administration's Budget
Mayor Archival clarified that this substantial project, with a total cost of nearly P95 million, was not initiated under his current term. The funding was sourced from the Local Development Fund (LDF) approved during the previous city administration. The mayor emphasized he is merely implementing a plan that was already in the pipeline.
"This is not my time for the request. The budget for this still comes from the LDF of the previous administration," Archival stated, putting context to the project's origins. The total allocated budget for the 12 dump trucks amounts to P94,946,320, averaging roughly P7 million per unit.
Barangay Beneficiaries and Selection Criteria
The distribution targeted barangays that had previously applied for such equipment and lacked their own resources for garbage hauling. The twelve beneficiary barangays are:
- Duljo Fatima
- Mabolo
- Labangon
- Tinago
- Day-as
- Kinasang-an
- Pahina Central
- Basak San Nicolas
- Pasil
- Guba
- Basak Pardo
- Malubog
Archival explained that the selection was based on need, ensuring the assets went to communities without adequate waste collection vehicles.
Formalities and Future Responsibilities
Although the trucks have been physically handed over, the process is not yet complete from a legal standpoint. Mayor Archival noted that the turnover must still be formalized through the Cebu City Council with the creation of a Deed of Donation. This document will officially transfer ownership from the city government to the respective barangays.
Once ownership is transferred, the responsibility for operating costs will shift entirely to the barangays. This includes expenses for fuel, registration, and maintenance. The mayor assured that the beneficiary barangays have already earmarked a combined budget of P8.5 million to cover these anticipated costs.
Goal: Efficient and Autonomous Waste Collection
The primary objective of this initiative is to accelerate garbage collection at the community level. By empowering barangays with their own equipment, the city aims to reduce reliance on a centralized collection system, which can sometimes be slow or inefficient.
Mayor Archival expressed optimism that this decentralization will lead to more systematic and consistent cleaning operations in the beneficiary areas in the coming months. This project represents a tangible investment in local infrastructure, aiming to create a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment for Cebu City residents.
