Okay, let's be real. We all love Cagayan de Oro, right? The "City of Golden Friendship," the gateway, our home. But lately, walking around some parts of our beloved city, it’s hard not to notice something… smelly. Overflowing bins, plastic bags clinging to fences like unwelcome decorations, and that general feeling that we're losing the battle against our own garbage. It's frustrating, and frankly, a little heartbreaking.

We’ve got this law, Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. It's been around since 2000 – that’s 24 years, people! This law is actually pretty comprehensive. It talks about separating your biodegradables from your recyclables (you know, the whole "malata, di-malata" thing), setting up Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in every barangay so we can actually do something with the segregated waste, and proper disposal. It’s all there.

So, what’s the problem? Is it that we Kagay-anons don't know about it? I don't think so. We’ve seen the posters, heard the announcements. The problem, as the editorial rightly pointed out, isn't the law itself. It’s that it feels like nobody’s really making sure it's being followed. It's like having a really good recipe, but the cooks in the kitchen – in this case, it seems our local government unit (LGU) – aren't quite following all the steps, or maybe they're not ensuring everyone else in the kitchen is doing their part.

Think about it. How many of us diligently segregate our waste, only to see it all get chucked into the same garbage truck? Or how many barangays actually have a functioning MRF that makes a real difference? When rules aren't consistently enforced, when you see people openly dumping trash by the roadside or in empty lots without so much as a warning, what message does that send? It tells everyone else that it’s okay, that the rules are just suggestions. And the result? Well, we’re living in it.

It's not just about making our city look bad, though that’s part of it. This mess affects our health. Clogged canals because of garbage mean worse floods when the rains come – and boy, do they come. And where do you think a lot of this trash eventually ends up? Our rivers, the very same ones that are part of CDO’s pride, and then out into Macajalar Bay. It’s a cycle of neglect, and it's simply not sustainable for a city that’s booming and aiming to be a model for Mindanao.

Look, awareness campaigns are great, but they’re only half the battle. We need to see some real teeth behind RA 9003. The LGU needs to get serious about this. That means proper, visible enforcement. Penalties for those who just don't care. Support and incentives for barangays that are actually trying to make it work. Maybe even some training for our hardworking waste collectors so they're part of the solution too.

This isn’t just a call-out post. This is a plea from a fellow Kagay-anon who believes we can do better. We have to do better. It's time for our city officials, our barangay leaders, businesses, and yes, every single one of us, to get serious about implementing RA 9003. Let’s not wait for a health crisis or an even bigger environmental disaster to jolt us into action.

The law is there. The framework is sound. What we're missing is the consistent, unwavering will to make it happen. Let's demand it. Let's participate in it. Let’s clean up our act, Cagayan de Oro. Our home deserves it.

As of May 13, 2025, 5:02 AM, partial and unofficial results show that 80.26% of election returns have been transmitted nationwide. In Cagayan de Oro City, the senatorial voting results reveal a trend that once again puts voter awareness under the spotlight.

While the names leading the senatorial race might not surprise many, it does raise a critical question: Are we voting wisely, or are we simply voting for who we recognize?

The Influence of Familiar Names

In the current tally, most of the top-ranking senatorial candidates are either returning senators, celebrity figures, or part of prominent political dynasties. It’s not new. In fact, it has become a recurring theme in Philippine elections—fame often overshadows merit.

Voters across the country, including those in Cagayan de Oro, tend to gravitate toward names they have seen on TV, heard on the radio, or spotted frequently online. For some, it’s a vote based on nostalgia, for others, it’s a lack of access to information about other qualified candidates.

This cycle of voting based on popularity rather than policy hurts our democracy in the long run. It sidelines competent and lesser-known candidates who may have more progressive or practical platforms but simply don’t have the same exposure.

The Need for Informed Public Discourse

The root of this issue? A serious lack of voter education and exposure to unbiased candidate information. Without debates or public forums that allow voters to hear directly from the candidates about their platforms, visions, and values, voters are left with jingles, slogans, and surname recognition to base their decisions on.

This is why there is a critical need for informational debates and public forums—not just in Metro Manila, but especially in localities like Cagayan de Oro. Local debates can bring national issues into a local context, helping voters see which candidates truly align with their needs and advocacies.

More Than Just a Vote

Voting is a sacred right—and a powerful responsibility. Each shaded oval on that ballot represents a voice, a future, and a decision that affects not only us today, but generations to come.

We cannot afford to make choices based solely on what’s familiar. It’s time to start voting based on principles, platforms, and performance. As a city known for its heart, culture, and progressiveness, CDO must rise to the challenge of shaping a more informed electorate.

It's Time to Level Up Our Vote

CDO's senatorial results are not just numbers—they’re a reflection of how we engage with our democracy. If we want real change, it starts with us. Let’s encourage more dialogues, demand transparency, and most importantly, let’s never stop learning about the leaders we choose.

Let’s vote not just with memory, but with meaning.

In every election season in the Philippines, a familiar and disturbing pattern resurfaces: the rampant practice of vote buying. While many already consider it part of the “normal” political routine, it remains a glaring wound in our democracy—a short-term gain that leads to long-term suffering.

What is vote buying?

Where does the money come from?

And yes, it could very well be taxpayers’ money. Funds meant for roads, hospitals, schools, or social services could be misused and laundered through shady channels until they land in small brown envelopes distributed during campaign season. When politicians see public office as a return-on-investment venture, that’s when democracy truly begins to fail.

What happens after the election?

Public offices become profit centers, and those who once gave out money during campaigns are now the same ones denying budget allocations for health care, infrastructure, or education—because their priority is to recoup what they "invested."

So, who really loses?

Vote buying keeps the cycle of corruption alive. It creates a political culture where money matters more than merit, and where the poorest are manipulated into choosing leaders who only remember them during campaign season.

In the end, that small envelope is not a blessing—it’s a bribe. And every time we allow it to continue, we’re selling our future for spare change.