Naga’s SWMO readies for fiesta with simulation exercises, clean-up efforts

By Jason B. Neola

IN preparation for the upcoming Peñafrancia fiesta, Asia’s largest Marian Festival, the Solid Waste Management Office (SWMO), led by Engr. Joel Martin, is prioritizing simulation exercises to ensure efficient waste management during the festivities.

These exercises, set to take on the second week of August, this year, will help determine the resources needed or assess the necessary assets including garbage trucks, volunteers, and equipment, to manage the anticipated increase in garbage from 200 tons to 250 tons per day throughout the celebration.

Alongside these preparations, the SWMO is addressing litter and mess issues in public elementary and secondary schools across the city.

The recent long vacation and school breaks left many schools unattended, resulting in increased waste accumulation. In response, the SWMO has been actively supporting the Brigada Eskwela initiative, the National Schools Maintenance Week in the Philippines, by ensuring every corner of the schools is clean and tidy.

The SWMO’s efforts extend beyond Brigada Eskwela, focusing on preventing potential dengue outbreaks and virus infections, especially during the rainy season.

Recent heavy rains have flooded schools, prompting the SWMO to conduct de-clogging operations in several schools, including Mabolo Elementary School, Julian Meliton Elementary School, Tabuco Elementary School, and Naga Central School 1. Similar efforts were carried out in Barangay Triangulo, addressing flooding behind SM City Naga.

Engr. Martin emphasized the priority given to schools in their public service endeavors, stating, “We are more than willing to respond to any school’s call to solve garbage handling, proper disposition, and de-clogging and cleaning of drainage systems.”

In the upland village of Panicuason, the SWMO team cleared a road blocked by erosion, restoring access after several hours.