When waste management fails

Large amounts of garbage are piled up along the shoreline and streets of Sitio Badjaowan, Alaska, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, on Oct. 24, 2026. 

Beyond its environmental impact, the garbage pollution also poses potential health risks to residents, especially children who were seen fishing in the polluted water.

Residents are appealing to the city government to see them, listen to their concerns, and help address the garbage crisis in their community. 

They are also asking for help cleaning the area and perhaps assign a personnel to monitor the shoreline and prevent illegal dumping. 

The situation calls for shared responsibility, including community discipline in proper waste disposal and effective waste collection and management by the Cebu City government.