1 month ago
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CEBU CITY — After the grand parade and ritual showdown of the 2025 Sinulog Festival that drew approximately 4 million participants and spectators over the weekend, a monumental post-celebration cleanup followed in the streets of the city.
The city's Department of Public Services (DPS) reported on Monday a staggering 290 tons of garbage collected from the weekend festivities.
"The amount collected marked an increase from the 205 tons of waste recorded during the 2024 festivities," said DPS head Poloy Gelasque.
Cleanup efforts commenced at 6 p.m. on Sunday and continued until 7 a.m. the following morning. The DPS mobilized 85 garbage trucks, comprising vehicles from barangay units and the city's engineering office, to clear the waste along the parade route.
The heaviest waste accumulation, Gelasque said, was in the areas near the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Fuente Osmeña Rotunda, Baseline and Colon Street night markets.
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Gelasque reported that most trash consisted of plastics, such as water bottles and other non-biodegradable materials.
Gelasque said the issue ultimately stemmed from a lack of public discipline, explaining that deploying more garbage bins was not always feasible.
He also said individuals should take responsibility by holding onto their trash until a bin is available or disposed of properly at home. He lamented that this was not the mindset of the revelers last weekend.
Efforts to manage waste included 37 eco-stations set up by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) before the event.
These stations, situated along the parade's traditional carousel route, provided designated bins for biodegradable, recyclable and non-biodegradable waste.
However, piles of garbage, including discarded plastic bottles and food containers, were still evident in photos shared online after the event.
Despite the challenges, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia expressed optimism during his closing speech at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Garcia noted the logistical hurdles posed by the large crowd but assured that sanitation workers would clear the streets by the next morning.
About 800 personnel from the DPS, Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement team (Probe), and Cebu Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team (Ceset) contributed to the extensive cleanup operation.
The mayor said that while the Sinulog Grand Parade highlighted the city's vibrant cultural heritage, the aftermath underscores the importance of fostering public discipline and sustainable waste disposal practices among festival-goers.
