Newly installed board-ups now line portions of South Road Properties (SRP) along a major route leading to NUSTAR, where preparations and related activities for ASEAN 2026 are underway. The panels were seen on Tuesday, January 28, drawing public attention and criticism from environmental advocates and local observers.
The board-ups face Barangay Pasil, a coastal community long grappling with river pollution, unmanaged waste, and floating garbage carried from upstream areas. For years, the visible environmental degradation along this stretch has highlighted persistent challenges in waste management and river rehabilitation in Cebu City.
Critics argue that the installation of the panels is a “band-aid solution” that prioritizes visual appeal for international events while leaving deeper environmental problems unresolved. They say the move merely conceals pollution rather than addressing its root causes, such as inadequate waste disposal systems, informal settlements along waterways, and the lack of sustained river cleanup and rehabilitation programs.
Environmental groups stress that long-term solutions require coordinated efforts between local government units, national agencies, and communities. These include improved waste management infrastructure, stricter enforcement of environmental laws, regular river dredging and cleanup, and relocation or support programs for residents living along riverbanks.
As Cebu positions itself as a host city for ASEAN 2026–related activities, advocates are calling on authorities to ensure that development and beautification efforts go beyond cosmetic measures. They emphasize that genuine environmental reform not only improves the city’s image but also protects public health, coastal ecosystems, and the livelihoods of communities like Barangay Pasil.
Photos from Jacq Hernandez, PBB Photojournalist
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