IN A bid to modernize its waste collection system and respond to the growing needs of a rapidly urbanizing population, the City Government of Tagbilaran formally turned over two brand-new garbage trucks to the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO) on July 3, 2025 at the City Hall grounds.
Mayor Jane Yap led the turnover of the trucks, joined by city key officials including the following: City General Services Officer Chris John Rener Torralba, SWMO Head Lito Taladua, and City Environmental Management Office Head Engr. Raul Aparicio II.
The newly acquired units are part of a broader fleet expansion aimed at enhancing collection efficiency and addressing waste generation in both residential and commercial areas.
“With the arrival of these trucks, we take another step towards building a cleaner, healthier Tagbilaran,” said Mayor Yap.
She said that the city is expecting a total of ten garbage trucks, with some of the future units to be deployed to
clustered barangays to improve coverage and response times.
Mayor Yap stressed that the rising population and businesses in the city have led to a significant increase in waste volume, making garbage collection and disposal one of the key priorities of her second term.
“This is not just about collection—it’s about improving the entire system, from segregation to recycling,” the lady mayor said.
To complement these efforts, Mayor Yap is encouraging the 16th Sangguniang Panlungsod to review and strengthen existing ordinances on waste disposal, particularly those concerning residential and commercial establishments.
Among the proposed measures is the deployment of inspection teams to monitor compliance of the ordinance in boarding houses, rental units, and business spaces, in coordination with barangay-level waste management groups.
The mayor also highlighted the importance of sustainability through public-private partnerships.
Plans are underway to upgrade the city’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) and formulate a long-term solid waste management and disposal strategy.
“This is a shared responsibility,” Mayor Yap noted. She added by saying: “With public support, strong policy enforcement, and strategic investments, we can build a greener, more livable Tagbilaran.”
The acquisition of the garbage trucks is the latest in a series of initiatives by the City Government of Tagbilaran to improve essential services and meet the demands of a growing urban center.
