Assuming responsibility for our future

Saturday’s heavy downpour that stranded people and vehicles in the streets of the cities of Cebu and Mandaue again revealed how unprepared we still are in coping with climate change.

Many immediately criticized the government for the inconvenience they suffered and the traffic congestion that ensued. While indeed the government has to prioritize urgent measures to address these big problems, we cannot forever make our public officials convenient scapegoats for our woes.  We have to contribute and do our share.

Climate change is anthropogenic. The culprits are us, humans. Our fossil-fuel dependent lifestyles have strained the carrying capacity of Mother Earth.

It is imperative that we lessen our negative impact on our fragile planet. Doing away with needless material consumption and managing waste properly are some of the ways to make a difference.

The EcoWaste Coalition and the Mother Earth Foundation called on the public recently to halt indiscriminate wasting and dumping to prevent perennial flash floods that turn our streets into filthy “swimming pools,” while reiterating the appeal for everyone to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost as a way of life.

“The cold-hearted practice of some people of throwing their discards anywhere is a major cause of instant flooding after heavy downpour,” said Froilan Grate, nongovernment organization representative to the Metro Manila Solid Waste Management Board.

“Cigarette butts, plastic bags, food leftovers and other rubbish that uncaring people dump everywhere eventually clog the storm drains and waterways, causing flash floods,” he explained.

“Dumped waste materials also cause pumping stations, which are meant to control flood waters, to slow or break down,” he lamented.

It can never be overemphasized that “flash floods can harm and even kill humans and animals, diffuse bacterial and chemical contaminants, pollute drinking water, spread water-borne ailments, disrupt public utilities, damage properties and cause economic losses.”

It is heartwarming that there are local government units that understand why RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, has to be implemented.  The city government of Muntinlupa was the first in Metro Manila to ban the use of plastic bags as packaging for items bought in commercial establishments. It is now taking a step further in waste minimization by requiring the people to use reusable containers in buying take-out food.

In Angeles City, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan required all City Hall employees and officials to undergo training on Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM). The city government, through barangay chairpersons, entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Mother Earth Foundation for the purpose. Mayor Pamintuan is clearly showing political will by starting solid waste management in the City Hall compound. He is hoping that the city government can demonstrate to the entire constituency that achieving zero waste is possible.

Aside from the pollution on our land, air and water, our indecent throw away culture is costing hundreds of millions of pesos for tipping fees and transport to dump sites. The amount can best be used for socialized housing, disaster risk reduction and management training, alternative livelihood programs for those displaced by landslides and floods and infrastructures for flood mitigation, among others.

Polluters must pay, right?  Garbage fees must be imposed at a high rate and the violators of RA 9003 and local ordinances held accountable. It is indeed time for everyone to be serious about the law’s implementation.

As experience has shown, the laws are nothing without the political will and the crucial public participation to ensure that sustainability is incorporated in all policies and programs of government and in our day-to-day choices.

While we have no control over the actions of public officials, citizens can definitely bond together and assume responsibility for a sustainable tomorrow, together with the other stakeholders.

Stalwarts in the Movement for Livable Cebu have been an inspiration for helping put pressure on government agencies to respect the rights of the people, involve them in the decision-making process and prioritize participative planning and implementation of relevant projects. It is hosting Sustainable Cities Dialogue 2 at the CAP Auditorium on June 29 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The speakers are urban planning expert Dr. Primitivo Cal, who is a University of the Philippines professor at its School for Urban and Regional Planning, and Vice Mayor Al Arquillano, who has institutionalized the effective and replicable Purok System of governance in San Francisco, Cebu.

There is no registration fee.  We encourage our youth and the young professionals and the nongovernment and people’s organizatons to be part of this important dialogue.

You do agree it is our responsibility to help shape our future the sustainable way.

* * *

The Gotiaoco, Estenzo, Seno, Avila, Alix and Colina Clans thank the Cebu city government led by Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, the Search Committee under Dr. Chairperson Lourdes Jereza and partner departments – the City Agriculture, Public Services and the Environment – and the indefatigable team members in the city government and the host institution, the University of Cebu, for ensuing a memorable series of activities for the June Family Honorees. The members of the Clans are deeply honored and are committed to continuing the legacy of service for our people and our planet.