Cagayan de Oro’s Growing Garbage Problem: A Call for Community Action and Smarter Waste Solutions

Cagayan de Oro City — once known as the “City of Golden Friendship” and admired for its cleanliness and charm — is now facing a growing garbage problem that’s hard to ignore. Piles of uncollected trash are now a common sight along street corners, public markets, and residential areas. The stench, the eyesore, and the potential health risks are becoming serious concerns for Kagay-anons.

The Root of the Problem

According to local reports and community observations, the main causes of this garbage backlog include:

• Lack of garbage trucks and manpower. With the city’s rapid growth, the current waste collection system is struggling to keep up with increasing demand.
• Road congestion at the dumping site. Garbage trucks get stuck in long queues due to narrow, uncemented, and muddy roads, especially during rainy days.
• Poor waste management coordination. Inconsistent collection schedules and lack of clear communication leave residents uncertain when their trash will be picked up.

The result? Weeks’ worth of garbage left uncollected — leading to foul odors, clogged drainage, and a risk of disease outbreaks.

The Need for Better Waste Solutions

Cagayan de Oro deserves a cleaner, more efficient waste management system. Here are possible solutions that the city government and community can explore:

1. Upgrade Equipment and Infrastructure.
   Invest in more garbage trucks and rehabilitate the road leading to the landfill. Cementing and widening the access road will reduce congestion and speed up collection cycles.

2. Decentralize Waste Processing.
   Create satellite collection hubs or mini transfer stations in strategic areas to lessen travel time to the main dumpsite.

3. Promote Waste Segregation at Source.
   Encourage every household and business to separate biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable waste. This reduces the volume of garbage sent to landfills and makes recycling easier.

4. Community Recycling Programs.
   Support or create Barangay-level recycling and composting projects. Simple initiatives like compost pits, “eco-bricks,” and collection of recyclables can make a huge difference.

5. Public-Private Partnerships.
   Encourage collaboration with local businesses and environmental organizations to sponsor waste bins, collection vehicles, or awareness campaigns.

6. Enforce Accountability.
   The city needs stronger policies to penalize illegal dumping, littering, and non-segregation, while rewarding those who follow sustainable practices.

The Role of the Community

While it’s true that city leaders must take responsibility, Kagay-anons must also step up. Change begins in our own homes. We can reduce waste by minimizing plastics, reusing materials, and teaching kids about cleanliness and discipline.

Let’s turn frustration into action. Organize barangay clean-ups, educate neighbors about proper waste disposal, and hold our leaders accountable — not through blame alone, but through participation and collaboration.

Because at the end of the day, this city is ours. If we want to see a cleaner, greener, and more livable Cagayan de Oro, we must all take part — not just in complaining about the garbage, but in being part of the solution.

Let’s make cleanliness a culture, not a campaign. The future of our city depends on how we take care of it today.