By William Agda
The city government of Cagayan de Oro has expedited waste management efforts following the New Year celebration, addressing piles of uncollected garbage in public markets and streets.
Allan Villalba, chief of the CDO City Public Service Office, said in a radio interview on Wednesday that the city’s third-party garbage collection contractor has deployed workers to manage the increased volume of trash observed on the first morning of 2025.
“There is more garbage this year due to a higher number of vendors operating on the sidewalks,” Villalba explained.
The City Public Service Office, in coordination with the contractor Tencil Company, has initiated an intensified collection schedule, focusing on major public markets and heavily trafficked areas. Villalba noted that garbage had started accumulating several hours before the New Year celebration, particularly in key market areas.
The garbage collection system in the city operates on a scheduled rotation of trucks managed by the contractor, with efforts underway to ensure that all waste is cleared promptly to maintain cleanliness and order in the aftermath of the celebrations.