Celso unveils P16M garbage trucks
To further strengthen the city’s garbage collection and disposal program, Mayor Celso Lobregat yesterday spearheaded the inauguration of four newly-purchased garbage trucks and vowed to continuously pursue the cleanliness and sanitation program for the wellbeing of the residents.
Costing almost P16 million, the four garbage trucks augment the present fleet of 26 waste collection vehicles of the city.
Lobregat said the facilities were purchased through funding taken from the 2008 annual and supplemental budgets with support from the City Council.
Last year, to supplement the waste collection program, the city also acquired four units brand new garbage trucks, two of which were compactor trucks and the two others identified as the “hook lift type” or the switch and go. The city government of Taichung, Republic of China also donated 3 units rehabilitated garbage trucks to Zamboanga City, according to the mayor.
Joining the mayor during the inauguration of the garbage trucks held in front of City Hall were Councilors Rey Candido, Nonong Guingona, Rudy Lim, Charlie Mariano and Eddie Saavedra. Rev. Fr. Manny Rodriguez officiated the blessing of the vehicles.
City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Reynaldo Gonzales thanked Mayor Lobregat for approving the purchase, which, he said, will ensure the promotion of efficient garbage collection and disposal system in the city.
He vowed to make proper use of the newly-purchased garbage collection vehicles and to further strengthen efforts to improve and expand the collection and disposal of wastes.
The city government, under the Lobregat administration has been concentrating on its environmental management program by maintaining 4 Material Recovery Facilities at the Sta. Cruz Bagsakan Center, Lumbangan dumpsite, San Roque Slaugtherhouse and Public Market-Magay. The MRF operation is duplicated in 30 urban barangays of the city.
For this year, the city is set to purchase at least 2 brand new garbage compactor trucks and construct a Wastewater Treatment Facility at the San Roque slaughterhouse.
The city is also pursuing negotiations for land acquisition for the sanitary landfill based on a Board Resolution of the City Solidwaste Management Board. (Sheila Covarrubias)