Davao — The city residents have raised concerns over the pile-up of uncollected waste along major roads, including Quezon Boulevard, following reported disruptions in garbage collection services starting June 2, 2026. While the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) typically maintains a daily collection schedule, several barangays reported that their areas were skipped on Tuesday night, leading to an accumulation of trash. Local barangay officials are now working to manage the situation by utilizing barangay-owned trucks for temporary storage while urging residents to practice strict waste segregation until services normalize.
Mitigating the Pile-up
In response to the missed collections, Barangay 31-D Chairman Nathaniel Gaviola Rapal noted that the village has proactively stored waste in their own trucks to prevent it from cluttering the roadsides. Similarly, in Barangay 21-C, officials are coordinating with CENRO to determine the cause of the disruption and expedite the cleaning of affected collection points. Residents have expressed frustration over the sudden lapse in routine, as the city is generally known for its consistent waste management efforts. Barangay leaders are now advising the public to avoid dumping trash in public areas to prevent further sanitation issues.
A Call for Responsible Segregation
As the city addresses the current collection challenges, local officials are emphasizing the importance of home-based waste management. Residents are being urged to practice segregation and, where possible, composting to reduce the volume of waste requiring municipal pickup. For perishable waste that may cause odors, residents are encouraged to bury or find temporary storage solutions until the regular collection trucks return to their routes. This community-wide effort aims to minimize the environmental impact while the city works through its current collection hurdles.
Moving Toward Resolution
CENRO has reportedly assured barangay officials that they are prioritizing the clearing of these areas as quickly as possible. The city’s waste management team is navigating complex logistics related to landfill operations, which have been a recurring concern for the city’s environmental department. While the temporary pile-up has inconvenienced some commuters and residents, the city government remains committed to maintaining its cleanliness standards. Local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation to ensure that the collection schedule is fully restored across all affected barangays.
