CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Mayors of Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City joined other local government leaders in calling for stronger inter-city coordination on solid waste management during a provincial environmental summit, as cities grapple with rising daily waste volumes and escalating disposal costs.
Speaking at the Cebu Provincial Waste Management Summit at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu last March 19, Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano described waste management as one of the most persistent challenges that local governments face, citing its daily impact on communities.
“Waste management is something we deal with every day. It may not always be the most talked-about, but for us in local government, this is one of the most real and constant challenges we face,” Ouano said.
Ouano said Mandaue currently handles around 318 tons of waste daily. Following the Binaliw landslide, hauling costs to other locations have tripled, further straining city resources.
Despite the challenges, Ouano said the city has recorded improvements since the closure of its dumpsite in 2016. He cited the implementation of the Solid Waste Diversion Program, which focuses on recovering recyclable materials and reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills.
“We’ve worked on strengthening our system—not just collecting waste but managing it better,” Ouano said.
However, he emphasized that waste management cannot be solved by a single city, noting that environmental concerns transcend political boundaries. “No city can do this alone…what affects one LGU will eventually affect all of us,” he said.
As a long-term solution, Ouano proposed the establishment of a common sanitary landfill for Metro Cebu, while noting that Mandaue is also shifting its approach from mere disposal to resource recovery and community discipline.
He added that waste management education is now being integrated into schools to instill responsible habits at an early age. “We’re starting this with our students…because habits formed early will last,” Ouano said.
On the other hand, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan echoed the call for unified action, saying solid waste management remains a daily governance concern for her city, which generates around 200 tons of waste each day.
Chan said that, while the figures are significant, waste management goes beyond statistics and reflects leadership, discipline, and collective responsibility.
“As local chief executives, we are not only managers of waste. We are builders of systems, enforcers of policies, and leaders who influence behavior in our communities,” Chan said.
She said Lapu-Lapu City has strengthened its waste management systems through continuous collection operations, barangay-level engagement, waste diversion efforts, and firm policy implementation. Still, she stressed that collaboration among LGUs is crucial in addressing Cebu’s waste challenges.
“This summit provides an important platform to examine our challenges, share evidence-based approaches, and identify practical interventions that will guide us toward a cleaner and more resilient Cebu,” Chan said.
The Cebu Provincial Waste Management Summit, themed “Understanding Choice Series: Cebu’s Waste Dilemma and Potential Solution-Interventions,” was spearheaded by Cebu Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro, who called for unified action among cities and municipalities.
Also present during the summit were Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Provincial Administrator Ace Durano, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 7 Executive Director Laudemir Salac, along with other local officials and stakeholders.
Participants agreed that addressing Cebu’s growing waste problem will require sustained coordination, shared infrastructure, and consistent enforcement across LGUs.
| Written by Kristin de Dios/RAE
