To address long-standing garbage management issues, the Cebu City Government is launching a major crackdown, combining public education with strict enforcement of its waste segregation rules.
Two-Phase Strategy: Education Then Enforcement
The plan, proposed by Mayor Nestor Archival during a Solid Waste Management Board (SWMB) meeting on Friday, December 26, 2025, involves a clear two-step approach. First, a citywide information campaign will run from January 1 to January 15, 2026.
This massive dissemination drive will use tools like radio broadcasts to educate residents across all 80 barangays on proper waste segregation. Following this, a strict enforcement period will commence from January 16 to January 30.
Mayor Archival has directed Barangay Enforcement Officers (BEOs) to apprehend violators and issue citation tickets as warnings. These officers must also submit regular reports on their activities.
Focus on Schools and Barangay Coordination
A key component of the strategy targets the youth. The mayor emphasized the significant impact of schools, noting that educated children can influence their parents at home.
To this end, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) has been tasked with visiting all 115 public schools in the city from January 5 to 10. Their mission is to conduct orientations and assess compliance levels.
While Barangay Luz Captain Nida Cabrera suggested barangays handle school waste collection, Mayor Archival stressed the need for dedicated trucks for educational institutions.
Guidelines and a Firm Final Warning
SWMB member Emma Ramas highlighted the crucial role of local leaders, confirming that detailed guidelines have been prepared for barangays and other stakeholders, including recyclers.
Concluding the meeting, Mayor Archival reiterated the city's firm "no segregation, no collection" policy. He expressed hope that through sustained education and unwavering enforcement, proper waste segregation will become a daily habit for all residents of Cebu City.
