Lapu-Lapu going green under Cindi

Local

IN A decisive start to her first term as Lapu-Lapu City mayor, former congresswoman Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” K. Chan issued two policy directives on Monday, June 30 aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainability within the city government.

The memoranda, signed on her first official day in office, reflect a clear shift in the city’s approach to environmental governance, particularly within City Hall.

Chan, who exchanged roles with her husband, former mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, placed environmental responsibility at the forefront of her administration’s early agenda.

In Memorandum No. 001-2025, addressed to all job order, casual, coterminous, and regular employees of the Lapu-Lapu City Local Government Unit (LGU), the mayor directed personnel to minimize the use of single-use plastics during LGU-related activities.

All employees are now required to bring and use reusable water bottles, food containers, and utensils.

The order also extended to vendors operating within City Hall premises. Food vendors were instructed to stop using single-use plastic packaging for their products.

To facilitate the transition, the Office of the City Administrator has been tasked to convene a meeting with the vendors to discuss further measures and encourage the use of alternative, more sustainable packaging materials.

The memorandum stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness in a city whose economy depends heavily on tourism.

“Tourism is the bread and butter of Lapu-Lapu City. Thus, maintaining a clean city is of paramount importance to sustain our standing as a world-class tourism destination,” it read.

Citing the persistent issue of plastic waste ending up in drainage systems and coastal waters, the directive emphasized the need for local government employees to take the lead in minimizing the use of disposable plastics through basic practices like reusing containers and utensils.

A second directive, Memorandum No. 003-2025, focused on the management and recycling of promotional tarpaulins installed in various public spaces throughout the city.

The order mandated that all tarpaulins be removed 30 days after the date of posting, regardless of their location, whether on center islands, utility poles, skywalks, or the City Hall lobby.

The General Services Office was instructed to collect and turn over the tarpaulins from outdoor areas, while the Clean and Green Office was tasked to handle those within City Hall.

All removed materials are to be submitted to the Manpower Development Office, which has been assigned to repurpose the tarpaulins into reusable bags.

The recycling initiative is consistent with the LGU’s commitment to reduce waste and promote reuse, aligning with the broader environmental goals outlined in the mayor’s early policies.

Both memoranda emphasized strict compliance, marking a no-nonsense approach to environmental management from the outset of the new administration.

While the directives are limited to internal operations and city-managed facilities for now, they signal a potentially broader push for sustainable practices across Lapu-Lapu City.

The new mayor officially took her oath of office last Saturday, alongside fellow winning candidates from her local party, Kaabag.

Joining her were her husband Junard, Vice Mayor Celedonio “Celsi” Sitoy, and councilors Jun Alforque, Tino Aying, Susan Baring, Rufo Bering, Annabeth Cuizon, Janvi Dela Cerna, Jeorgen Eyas-Book, Efren Herrera, Joseph Pangatungan, Montor Tatoy, Ariane Yap, and Emilio Galaroza.(MyTVCebu)