COTABATO CITY – Mayor Bruce Matabalao expressed deep disappointment after discovering piles of uncollected garbage and overgrown grass blocking a waterway in Barangay Rosary Heights 5 during an inspection on Tuesday, May 27.
The mayor, accompanied by City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Engr. Crisanto Saavedra, City Engineer Samuel Jorolan, and City General Services Officer Scherjan Ibrahim, found the area in a neglected state, indicating a serious lack of maintenance.
Barangay officials present during the inspection conducted a temporary cleanup, while personnel from CENRO, the City Engineering Office (CEO), and the Office of the General Services Officer (OGSO) are set to conduct a more thorough cleanup to restore the proper flow of water.
Following the visit, Mayor Matabalao summoned barangay officials for a meeting to address the issue. However, Barangay Chairman Dino Maglalang Espino failed to attend, further drawing the ire of the mayor.
Frustrated by the lack of accountability, Mayor Matabalao questioned the barangay officials’ use of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), which should have been allocated to solve local problems like waste management and community development. He pointed out that CENRO is already overwhelmed with responsibilities and that barangays must take initiative in managing their own affairs.
To ensure local officials fulfill their duties, the mayor announced plans to visit every barangay in Cotabato City. He warned that those proven to be negligent will be held accountable.
Mayor Matabalao also reminded residents to do their part in keeping the environment clean: “Dispose of your trash properly and always act with discipline and responsibility,” he said.
Barangay officials are expected to present their development plans during the first City Development Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 29.