In order to serve the purpose of its existence, the Department of Public Services have made a remarkable impact in the first half this year as it improves its service in different areas.

ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION

On its effort to level up the standards of services, the DPS initiated a proper handling of municipal waste. The City purchased Twenty-three (23) brand new equipment namely, 1 unit mechanical street sweeper, 6 units six wheeler garbage trucks, 1 unit pay loader for garbage collection, 10 units motorcycle with side car for garbage collection, 2 units Aerial ladder for street lights, and several tools and materials for use in the repair and maintenance of DPS equipment as well as that of Barangay garbage trucks. The equipment for landfill operation is soon to be delivered.

The city's garbage collection became more efficient, the city streets are cleaner compared to previous years, and the level of awareness towards the proper disposal of solid waste became a way of life by individuals. While sustaining these programs, the Mayor's "Gubat sa Basura'' gained strength and confidence that sooner the city will become environmentally friendly, a vibrant garden city of the country with unique culture and unique people.

The DPS as implementing office held constant meetings participated by different groups or organizations, conduct lectures and forums in different places of the city for the strict implementation of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. The law enforcement group called BEO (Barangay Environmental Officers) and CESET (City Environmental and Sanitation Enforcement Team) also partakes in this endeavor with constant monitoring and enforcement to violators. The same people are assigned to monitor composting at the Materials Recovery facility (MRF) in different barangays. Fabrication and the installation of bridge railings was made by this the DPS through Public Private Partnership (PPP) now served its purpose at bridges along B. Rodriguez St. and Gov. Cuenco Street.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered the closure of City's Sanitary Landfill in Brgy. Inayawan in December 2011 through a cessation order that prohibits dumping and other activities inside the facility. The garbage disposal was then transferred to Consolacion Landfill while the landfill service area was temporarily utilized as garbage transfer station using rented equipment to satisfy the need to transfer solid waste. With this initiative, the City will have a clear direction to re-mediate the closed facility and open to possibilities for a new site for environmental awareness project using Public Private Partnership (PPP). At present, the 13 year old facility is processing biodegradable waste through vermi-culture composting hence it has still enough space to cover the 107 cubic meters of biodegradable waste every 2 months thus reduces 5 tons of solid waste disposal daily. Another transfer station is located in Carbon Market wherein 30-40 tons of biodegradable wastes are transported to Consolacion daily for final disposal.

WATER SUPPLY

Another concern of the DPS is to provide adequate water supply to all barangays. Safe and sufficient potable water supplied to mountain barangays of the city using the brand new acquired water tank truck in addition to the existing three units. Drilling and installation of artesian wells 24 units, construction of 3 units concrete reservoir, fixing ad installation of water pipelines to 5 differentareas in the mountain barangay, and the construction of 10 units rain water catchment in the mountain barangay without adequate underground water supply. Also with the existing 60 units serviceable portalets, the City through the DPS has acquired additiona 65 units with the same design facility to serve the public through rental or free of charge. Other activity in line with this service is the syphoning of septic tank in public schools and other city government offices.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

To maximize the manpower of the department, a task force was created. It is created to supplement labor and warm bodies specifically to attend calamity hit areas and other urgent undertakings that need urgent accomplishment such as trimming of trees, disilting of street curb and gutters, street sidewalk beautification, among others. The DPS has also actively participated and most of the time chosen as the lead department in all clearing operations initiated by the chief executive such as "Coastal Clean-up" , "Pasko sa Barangay", Pasko sa V.Rama", "Pasko sa CArbon" and "Frontline Cluster Services". The DPS also produces outstanding personnel recognized during the yearly Charter Day celebration namely, Grace Luardo - Mayor's Special Awardee; Engr. Dionisio Gualiza - 2 time Outstanding Dept Head, Model Employee (Supervisory Level Category) for 4 times, Mayor Special Awardee and Spring Awardee; Randy Navarro - Mayor Special Awardee, Outstanding Supervisor, 3 times Outstanding Employee, and 4 times Spring Awardee; and Agnes Sheila Guitguitan - Outstanding Section Head and Outstanding Employee Award.

STREET LIGHTS

The City through the DPS has purchased more than 3,000 sets Metal Halide lamps installed to illuminate the city streets, replacing the old sodium lamps previously used. As a result, the city streets are well lighted during night time , 24/7 available personnel to monitor with quick response in fixing using the available materials and brand new acquired aerial ladder. In addition, used sodium lamps are installed are installed at various secondary roads in the city.

By Greggy Jiggs P. Senados/PIO Staff