For so many years already, Bacolod City, here Negros Occidental, Philippines, has been having problems with baha or flooding. When there is a strong rain for at least 30 minutes, expect some areas in the central, north, south, and east to become flooded.
Affected areas are not necessarily those in the coastal areas. These are supposedly urban areas.
Baha sa Bacolod is real.
I have to apologize for this post. It has become my mission to promote Bacolod City to the world. I had to think long and hard before writing this because it seems like I am contradicting myself. However, if nobody will speak up about this, who will?
First of all, I am not blaming the Bacolod government, for what they are doing or for lack thereof in dealing with the garbage problem. It’s beyond my scope because this is not a political blog. This is a lifestyle blog and thus, I will zero in on the lifestyle of the people.
The aim of this post, therefore, is to inform, show reality, and hopefully, bring about a lasting change in our society so that we will avoid floods and the difficult situations that come with these calamities.
Segregation
I am not sure when this started, but I remembered that several years back, the city has campaigned for waste segregation and recycling in the communities. Fliers were given to every household, informing them of how to segregate garbage. I remember that the flier had an Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) translation so that all locals will understand it.
In our household, the flier was taped to our kitchen wall in order to remind the helpers how to segregate garbage and to comply with the city’s ordinance.
One day, I was looking out our third floor balcony when I saw the dump truck pull up in front of our gate. The neighbors’ trash was segregated in different containers. The collector poured the contents of the all three containers in the same truck, mixing them altogether.
If I wasn’t carrying a sleeping baby back then, I would have called their attention. What’s the purpose of segregating at home when the collectors just dump them altogether anyway?
This was several years ago so I am hoping that the practice is better now.
But Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran’s revelation last February 2018 proved me otherwise. According to a local daily, the vice mayor confirmed that most of the city residents are not complying with the waste segregation policy and that Bacolod is still “zero” in terms of compliance. Tsk. Tsk.
People’s Attitude
Then of course, there’s the people’s attitude towards garbage. Many years ago when my husband and I were still dating, we took the jeepney one time.
There was a mom and her preschool kid seated in front of us. The child was eating something and when she was done, her mom quizzed her on what to do with her trash. The girl said that she needs to throw it in the bin. Then the mom continued to quiz her on what to do if there is no trash can around (like if there is none in the jeepney). The girl answered to put the trash in her pocket.
The girl aced the quiz. The mom must have already been teaching her daughter what to do with her trash–that she should not just throw it anywhere and that if there are no trash bins nearby, she should bring it home and throw the trash in their bins at home. That means the little girl will have to put the plastic in her pocket and wait till they got home to throw that piece of plastic in the trash.
We silently praised the mom for her conscientiousness.
But that situation is an exemption rather than a rule. Many times, we have been driving and we would see a passenger from the jeepney we are following throw a bag full of fastfood containers and plastic cups. We would walk around the Bacolod Capitol Lagoon and see people leave fastfood containers, plastic cups, as well as plastic bags of popped rice that are used to feed the fish inside the lagoon.
Yesterday, I was at the mall and in a book display, two small cups were inserted among the books. I was like, what? There are so many trash cans at SM City Bacolod, couldn’t they take a few extra steps to find a bin?
Capitol Shopping: An Example
We live in a commercial district called the Capitol Shopping Center in Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod City. I haven’t seen this place during its heydays about 30-40 years ago. But now, a lot of the buildings are already dilapidated.
What irks me is the lack of consideration and discipline of the people around here. Since there are many vacant lots in the area, the owners or the neighbors have put up fences so as the prevent vagrants from staying there and also to keep people from dumping garbage in the lot.
So what do some of our neighbors do? They dump their garbage in front of the fence. Or, they throw their trash bags over the fence, like they were dunking a basketball or throwing a three-point shot. Talk about being inconsiderate.
Honestly, we don’t think that those who live next to the vacant lots are the ones dumping the garbage, such as our neighbor Sandok Comfort Food. It is illogical because they would just be harming themselves in the long run. After all, there are several Bacolod restaurants around our vicinity.
We are thinking that those “dumpers” could be the workers who don’t actually live in the area. Also, it could be those who are living several houses away.
It is just pure laziness, inconsideration, and lack of respect because the designated garbage pick up points at the Capitol Shopping Center is just the island in the middle of the street. So why walk all the way to the empty lots instead of crossing the street where it is nearer? Pathetic.
This practice has continued over the years that the right of way that connects from Hilado Street and goes through to B.S. Aquino Drive is already closed because of garbage dumps. It used to be a two-car passage for the building owners.
But thanks to the unscrupulous dumping of garbage, we have this situation. And if this continues, it will not be long for the entire strip to be closed.
Societal Ills
Now, this is just the Capitol Shopping Area. I believe this garbage scenario is reflective of the entire Bacolod City. I have seen many dumps in some puroks around the city. Multiply all these garbage and what do we get?
Sickness, clogged drainage, and of course, floods. This is a societal ill.
Workers With No Dedication
So I have already mentioned about garbage collectors who just dump already segregated garbage and mix them altogether in their truck. Then there are garbage collectors who do not do their work. Garbage can remain uncollected for weeks.
Then there is another set of workers I have witnessed. There was a time several years ago here in Shopping when workers opened manholes around Hilado Street and Narra Avenue. They removed the garbage in the sewers with the purpose of de-clogging the sewage system. They placed the trash they collected beside the manhole, probably waiting for another team to clean it up.
The problem was, no other team came by. A few days later, it rained. Guess where all the garbage collected went?
My Wish
The garbage dumps around the Capitol Shopping Center are filthy, unhygienic, and they smell so bad. Gawd! Honestly, I have wished that whenever there is baha sa Bacolod or in our area, the garbage they throw will show up on their doorsteps.
Of course, that does not happen, so all of us “get punished” by the thoughtless actions of some people. When the area gets flooded, you will see the dark colored water rise and garbage floating around. It’s disgusting, to say the least when there is baha sa Bacolod.
And we all suffer.
Call to Action
I am not saying that garbage and improper waste disposal is the only reason for baha sa Bacolod. There are so many factors, as I have said above.
However, when there are floods, what do we see around us? Garbage being scattered, as they are swimming in the flood waters. It is obvious evidence that our behavior is contributing to the flooding problem in Bacolod City.
- Proper Garbage Collection
The city might need to be stricter in the proper garbage collection, such as counter-checking measures if their contractors are really doing the job and not just when its near Christmastime. I think many will agree with me on this–we have observed that we see the dump trucks roll around more frequently with their solicitation envelopes when the holidays are near.
For us, I think that’s okay to give them cash gifts during Christmas. Let’s face it, these workers are not the wealthiest among us. A little Christmas cheer can buy extra stuff for their families. Let’s take it as an opportunity to thank them, as they serve us and our city. We just hope that will encourage them to be dedicated all year through and not just during the holidays.
In another light, perhaps I believe that there is also a need to give them formal training on proper garbage collection and handling. While this might seem like a no-brainer job, we need to educate them about the purpose of their jobs and what happens if they don’t do it well. Obviously, it results to baha sa Bacolod.
- Materials Recovery Facility
A landfill has never been the solution to the growing garbage problem of any place in the world. But an effective and efficient materials recovery facility will. I am not sure what will be more effective given our culture here, but I would take anything either from the government or the private sector as long as our trash can be processed with more efficiency and result in by-products that will support the community (i.e. energy).
- Segregation
Segregation of garbage must happen at home, in stores, in malls, offices…everywhere. I think hospitals are more keen on the segregation aspect, especially because of their infectious wastes.
Meanwhile, garbage collectors should also be educated about this. So there’s segregated garbage, what do they do about it then?
- Awareness
Let’s have more information campaign about the effects of littering all around us. Let there be information about flooding on the school level, the offices, and the homes on a barangay level. If there’s a flood campaign that we need, it’s the education about how garbage affects us and the situation of the baha sa Bacolod.
It’s not just unsanitary, garbage can cause floods. And we have experienced it in our midst. No matter how the government digs and enlarges sewage pipes, they will still get filled up if we continue to be careless.
- Change of Attitude Towards Garbage
With intensive and extensive information campaign, we hope to see a change of attitude about garbage and in the disposal thereof among Bacolodnons. It’s not enough for people to see the obvious in order to change, but hopefully, we will not have to reach the implementation of penalties and fines just for people to take heed.
Oh everyone, for all our sake, let’s dispose of our garbage properly. They are already coming back to haunt us. If we won’t stop, we will all be swimming in garbage sooner or later. Let’s help our cleaners, garbage collectors, and our government.
- Dealing with Mentally Ill People
I am not sure why, but we do have several mentally ill people loitering around the vicinity of the Capitol Shopping Center. Sometimes, our staff would catch them opening garbage bags and scattering contents. One of them has also destroyed all our potted plants in front of the store. 🙁
I think that in this concern, the government should address this by keeping them under the care of the DSWD because really, we cannot engage them and tell them to do the right thing. If there is baha sa Bacolod, they will just go swimming in the flood waters.
- Instruction to Helpers
I have to admit that probably, the homeowners do not know that it is their helpers who are dumping garbage illegally. So it is their responsibility to inform, especially the new hires, where garbage should be thrown. In our family, it is common knowledge among all the staff in our house. They know how to properly dispose garbage because hey, too, have seen how baha sa Bacolod affects our vicinity.
- Teach Kids Intentionally
Additionally, we grown ups are the examples to our children. If they see us throwing garbage around (i.e. candy wrappers, cigarette butts, coffee cups, etc.) what else would the little ones think? That it is alright to do so.
Aside from showing a good example, let us also teach children properly. We need to guide them in simple matters because it helps build their character. Because if we won’t, who else will?
Remember the story of the mom quizzing her child in the jeepney? She was teaching and showing an example in a gentle way. It would also help if parents would not make house chores, including taking out the trash, a form of punishment so that the kids will not resent doing it.
United Efforts
Our government cannot solve the problem of flooding alone. Bacolod City needs more trees. And more importantly, each and every single Bacolodnon, young and old alike, should be aware about how garbage and not disposing them properly will affect our lives. It’s not as if garbage will only turn up in the homes of those who threw them around. WE ARE ALL AFFECTED with Baha sa Bacolod.
A single piece of candy wrapper, a shampoo sachet, a cigarette butt, a little plastic wrapping your banana cue, or even a straw — all of these can have a significant impact to our environment if we are careless.
Parents have to teach their children at home. Teachers have to maintain a level of awareness in school. Barangay officials should teach their constituents in the community level. Mayors should motivate lower-ranking officials.
Garbage is everybody’s business. We should all do our share, Bacolod. This is our city. Let’s keep this clean. If we have done everything in our power and there is still baha sa Bacolod, it is the time that we can point fingers. For now, I think most of us are guilty for contributing to the problem.
How about you? What are your thoughts on the garbage situation and the Baha sa Bacolod?
Updated: August 3, 2018
Yesterday, Bacolod City experienced very strong rains again. The flooding has been too much, despite the flood control efforts of the government. Yes, Baha sa Bacolod has definitely worsened. Here are some photos gleaned from yesterday.
And the photo below was a screen shot sent to me by concerned Bacolod citizen, Ms. Clarice Itumay. She is also very concerned with the garbage problem, which is part of the reason why we have baha sa Bacolod.
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I so admire that you are so honest about the state of Bacolod and show the good and bad sides of the place that you live in as it is always important to be truthful to our audience. I do hope that they do something about the garbage issue ASAP.
Yeah, and our people do really NEED to change our ways.
Amo! Ara gid sa tawo kung gapaminsar sang tsakto or sala not just blame the government! Simple basic thing on how to throw garbage but it has a serious impact to our city.
I have seen so many people throw trash around without a second thought. If I am able, I pick them up and throw them properly. 🙁
It still boils down to upbringing. We are just reaping the result of the lack of discipline by the people in our city (not all of course), the sense of entitlement (always expecting other people to clean up after their mess),and the apathy. Just look at the state of NGC after an event. Everyone wants to enjoy but do not act responsibly by throwing their trash properly after. Perhaps our government also is lax in enforcing policies.
With regards to the garbage collectors just dumping the garbage all together even when they were segregated when they picked them up, perhaps they too were not given enough training and resources how to keep them segregated. How much is their pay? Why are they lazy to segregate? Is the government investing in their trainings? We should all take part in educating each other regarding this I guess especially children.
Oh yeah that’s so true–the events in Bacolod, such as those held at the NGC and Bacolod Capitol Lagoon! Oh I was not able to take photos of them! Tsk tsk… I have noticed that here in Bacolod. It seems we expect everyone to do things for us — throw our garbage, close the door behind us, etc. 🙁
I hope restaurant owners or owners of food establishments give double, triple, to the nth power more emphasis to maintain cleanliness. Not only for the sake of their neighbors but also for their sake and their customer’s sake….don’t wait for their guests to complain about cockroaches or bugs in the food or at worst get food poisoning. Even a dirty neighborhood can invite dirty pests to their kitchen. So they need to be pro-active in helping ensure the neighborhood their establishment is in is clean.
Ha! So true. This also includes clean restrooms and running water with soap in the lavatories. Bacolod restaurants serve such good food but if there are unsanitary practices, that would be very bad for everyone.
Those are ways but of course, all of us should be aware and be responsible for our garbage waste. It should start with us and be a good example to others.
Exactly. Thank you!
Hindi lang tani pag salig tanan sa gobyerno, kada isa dapat mag cooperate man. Sad to say, kulang gd sa disiplina mga tao d. Kag ara bala pahapos lng pirmi ang peg. 🙁
Hindi ka nag-iisa.. ugot2x man kmi d sa tupad balay namon na mahilig mag haboy basura sa tubang gate namon. Biskan ano ka wild sng MIL ko sa gwa balay, daw mga bungol lng ang neighbors namon. Wala pake ang peg. Ang ending, amon mga boy ang sagi tinlo sng higko nila. Keteleke!
Ay te wow gid ya! Hay…same same story here. A few months ago, Mama and four of our staff cleaned that area in our neighbor’s backyard. Took them 2 days. But now, it’s way piling again!
Which neighbors are these? Those on the left side of the house?
Wow the garbage problem is crazy!
I am currently looking at a more sustainable lifestyle for me and my family. We’ve just switched from plastic straws to metal to lessen our trash.
Good for you! Every little thing counts.
This reminds me of my country of birth. The garbage issue there is as serious as this, if not more. It is really down to people’s attitudes.
They way I see it if you saw that lack of commitment by the city workers than surely everyone else has as well. The example starts there. I can just imagine how that person who took the time to separate their garbage felt. I bet they didn’t do it the following week. Sounds like you need a grassroots movement. Organize some cleanup crews from local neighbors and schools, grab some garbage bags and start setting an example for others to follow.
Just in time when I released this article, a group gathered to clean up one community near the shoreline. Hopefully, their work with reverberate and the people in the community will make an effort to maintain the place already. And yeah, next time, it will be our area.
I did not know of this place existing until I Read this post . Its good you have written about this place and brought this to the attention of all. I hope people take some steps to improve the living conditions over there. We had written an article about a place in Sri lanka called Mirissa which had the same issue and some people there were worried about the tourists not going to come to the place because we wrote the article. Here is the link if you are interested https://natnzin.com/2018/03/19/things-to-do-in-mirissa/
Sad truth but I admire your brave and empowering post. This situation takes a concerted effort and action from individuals to a group from local to national. We really wish to see Bacolod a more waste-free and flood free city.
I can see why it would be sad to see that much trash lying around. I do know there are sections of the community where that happens, but it always makes me sad to see. Just hard. Good that you are bringing light to this issue though.
Ok, this might not be the pretties, dreamiest blog post I’v ever read, but it’s definitely one of the most important ones. Not only that local people are not that aware, we as travellers cause even more problems since the local population tries to adapt to our ‘needs’. Therefore this is a very important article that each and every backpacker and the post crowd, too, should read. In times when basically everybody can travel around the world, we have to become more and more aware and feel responsible.
Thank you for this ‘ugly’ post 😉
I get so annoyed with people who litter, as to me it just doesn’t make any sense? It is so easy to put rubbish in a bin. For some reason, our drive seems to collect a lot of rubbish that people clearly can’t be bothered to throw away so we have to deal with it!
Wow. As a scout leader, seeing this wrenches my heart and makes my stomach turn for people who can’t see that our planet is in dire need of loving care- which includes people picking up their trash. I am sorry many cities are dealing with this issue for a myriad of reasons.
Oh my goodness! It looks like a mess flooded. So sad. And yes something definitely needs to be done to keep it from happening if it is a regular occurrence. 🙁
For the first time I have heard this place’s name. Glad to know you are promoting this city to the world. I will check out your other posts as well.
This is a very empowering post! I really hope more people will understand that trash is a very big problem. It’s just sad 🙁
But the story about the girl and her mom makes me hopeful!
Kudos for bringing this up and talking about it. As your post makes it clear this isn’t a simple problem caused by one thing but a combination of problems – the environment, people’s habits, government corruption and laziness and of course typhoons! Unfortunately you can’t stop the typhoons but the other problems are fixable and getting people to acknowledge it as a real problem that they can be part of the solution for is the first step.
I can’t believe this is happening in the world today! I really take it for granted that people seem to pick up after themselves where I am. I hope something changes – and soon!
It’s a shame that everyone has to suffer from a few peoples’ laziness. Hope the city gets its act together soon!
How awful that the residents are making the effort to separate their trash and recycling and the garbage men are dumping it all in one .
Garbage segregation is must. Very important post. thanks for sharing.
It is sad that some people can be so irresponsible and dump their trash anywhere they wish. I think garbage segregation would be one of the solutions to your problem. Another would be regular garbage pick ups by your local government. If this would not be addressed, it would not only be flooding that will be the problem but also disease.
Oh my gosh this is insane. No one should have to live like this in their hometown. You he government certainly needs to step up there game.
This is such a heartfelt post and I know that it could not have been an easy one to write about. I can understand how irritated, sad and frustrated you must be about the garbage problem in your city 🙁
As the saying goes “old habits die hard” 🤔
Segregation- gina obra na namon,pero kada maghakot na ang dumptruck gina halo halo naman nila sa truck ?!!
ano ang itsura sng ginabaksakan sang mga basura ta? Wlaman guro segregation facilities? Maybe thats why…
Throwing of trash (e.g cigarette butts,paper,tissue etc) plus manupla while inside a running vehicle, may ara pa bisan galakat lng sa dalan pasimple wigit or even ina bala may sikma, dupla, maihi, ma poop pa! – “old habits die hard” – dapat ni may ordinansa man nga ma multahan ang madakpan!
You can just.imagine ano mga nagasagol nga higku sa baha…wala labut ang mga maiptan nga kasapatan (e.g rats,cats,dogs, dala na mga ipis etc) sa dalanun.
So wala gyapon segregation gale sa dump truck? Tsk tsk. What a disappointment gle. And true, I saw a photo of the mountain of garbage sa Brgy. Felisa. It looked threatening. Damo2 na gid ya basura. Hay… We really need an effective MRF here in Bacolod City. Political will to change things. 🙁
And what about the waste from hospitals and medical laboratories? Diin na ya ginatampok ang ila mga basura? Biskan may segregation sa kada panimalay, business establishment,hospitals,laboratories,schools kung ang talampukan sng garbage,trash,waste wala segregation facilities… ano ang resulta?! 🤔😭
Now that you mentioned about the hospital wastes, that’s sickening! Yeah, ang hospitals are very keen on segregating for the safety of their operations, pero gina ano na tuod? Oh my gosh!
I grew up seeing my father digging holes or pits for our household basura in our backyard. It wasn’t just for composting because he loved gardening, but he said he didn’t want us to contribute to our town’s garbage. In my entire childhood, wla gd ko kahatag basura sa truck namon! I felt so proud!
When I moved here in Bacolod, I told my boyfriend we should do the same! It went well at first, but when rainy season came, water stayed in the pit and the frogs made it as swimming pool! Hahaha… They were so noisy especially at night! 😄😃😂 Eventually we had to cover it up.
Although we failed, the lesson my father taught me still inspires us to dispose our trash properly. I always tell my children to be responsible of their own trash no matter how small. I tell them to keep their snacks or candy wrappers with them if they can’t find basurahan and throw it when they find one or when they get home. It’s not so heavy to carry isn’t it!? Well, we just have to deal with the subay sometimes.
Everything starts at home!
Wow! Your father is an honorable man! 😀 And indeed, the lessons we learn in life do start at home. Thanks for sharing your story. 🙂
It all boils down to awareness, training and social concern. If you have been trained at home to throw your wastes properly, to segregate –then you’ll be doing the same when you’re out or when you already have a home of your own.
Social concern is important because if we are not concerned about the environment, animals and people around us, and if we continue to throw garbage all over…we will definitely be the ones to suffer the effects–flood, contamination, illness, poor drainage system.
We should do our part in taking care of our environment so we can all live in a healthy and flood free Bacolod City.
Segregation works if there is a concerted effort by all parties. Starting from the households and establishments producing the trash, to the collectors who collect and dispose of the trash, and the LGUs who are in charge of the policies and their implementation. I remember a few months back, in Tandang Sora (QC), the garbage collectors will not pick up your trash unless it is properly segregated. So that there is a start. But then you also need a proper disposal facility, which seems to be lacking in Bacolod.
So what it boils down to is a need for awareness and discipline on the part of the citizenry, and proper disposal programs by the LGUs. It is not only the city gov’t, but the local barangay officials as well, who need to get involved. Maybe the local radio and TV companies should get more involved in educating people. Maybe there should be more efforts using SocMed, like this blog, to get the message across. Maybe we really need an honest-to-goodness policy for penalizing improper waste disposal, similar to those anti-smoking and jaywalking programs. Maybe we need informal shame-gamers like the “I Park Like An Idiot Bacolod” Facebook group. Maybe we nee to make sure that these programs are continuous, not just ningas-cogon practice as is usually the case.
On the part of the city, they should seriously look into a proper waste segregation facility, not just a dumpsite. More so since Bacolod is growing, and it is even being proposed to link the 3 cities of Bacolod, Talisay and Silay into something like a Metro Bacolod area. Plastic waste must be segregated, as it is a major ecological concern, not just because it is a major factor in flooding, but also because of its effects on marine life and the oceans in general. Waste-to-energy (W2E) power generation has been proven to work. Recycling has become a lifeline industry in many areas.
If they can, why can’t we?
This is a sad truth nang. This sort of topic is so realistic and people often dodge to discuss it. Thank you for stepping out to address such matter. Coming back to Bacolod after 2 years ka very surprising gd na kadasig magbaha sa hinay na ulan ang lacson street all the way to mamdalagan which I’d say is our main street. I’ve seen the effect of improper disposal and ignorance in garbage segregation in my workplace in Boracay Island and if indi ta magstart now as a city to improve in our proper waste management then our city will suffer 5 yrs from now. Yes it should start sa household gd naton and ourselves, but with the power and authority of the government to implement such ways to help our waste management, mka start ta changes on every barangay. I’m hoping and wishing for a better Bacolod.
Hay naku! Dapat talaga bata pa lang tinuturuan na. Ang kaso yung magulang mismo masamang impluwensya! Hindi lahat, pero napakarami. Sabi nga, train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Madami kasi hangga’t makakaisa, eh mang-iisa. Generation of vipers. (Again, di ko nilalahat.)
I agree sis. Napaka dami nila. As in! Feeling ko nag hahasik ng lagim…este…basura. Too painful to watch. If I can, I pick up after them to show them that what they are doing is wrong.
It is about time that we start doing something. The garbage problem in Bacolod City is getting serious. The garbage site in Barangay Felisa emits really bad smell. We should learn to reduce, reuse and recycle. Also be responsible in garbage disposal.
Oh gosh. I cannot even imagine the stench. I wonder how far are the nearest residents to the dumpsite?
There are residents very near the dumpsite. Unfortunately, the stench goes beyond the village and abot sa school.
It’s so sad to see this happening to Bacolod. Two decades ago, we were winning awards as the Cleanest and Greenest Cities in the country. Hope Bacolod can bounce back.
The government should have to have massive efforts to spread awareness and education among its constituents. There must be interactive programs that would inspire and convince people to participate in cleaning and making the surroundings green. There must be beautification, gardening and tree planting and cleaning activities in each purok to engage the residents into collaboration. And such activity must be continuous so that the residents will get used to it until it becomes their way of living. The government should be creative in making cleaning of surroundings an interesting means in nation building. Indi kay mga pageant pageant amo ang ginagastohan, why not come up with a year round, cleanest and greenest barangay contest because am sure each barangay will compete for prestige.
Ha! Funny you should bring up the pageants… but it seems Filipinos really do like pageants. But yeah, I agree, do it until it becomes a way of life. And now, I am thinking, imposing fines and doing it regularly will really help.
We must segregate our garbage properly to avoid this kind of disaster. Citizens & city government needs to take it seriously.