Many people in Cebu are suffering from floods because of dirty and clogged drainage. I live in Mabolo, Cebu City, and I always see trash like bottles and plastic blocking the canals. One time, heavy rain caused water to enter our home because the drain couldn’t handle it. The smell was bad, and mosquitoes started appearing. It may seem like a small problem, but it affects everyone, such as families, children, and even pets and animals. Clean drainage means a safer and healthier community.

If people continue throwing trash into the drainage, flooding will keep getting worse. Streets will fill with dirty water, homes will be damaged, and diseases may spread. But if we act now, we can prevent this. By keeping our drainage clean, we protect not only our homes but also our health and the environment. We can live without worrying every time it rains.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), improper waste disposal is one of the main causes of flooding in urban areas. In Cebu City alone, the Department of Public Services collects around 600 tons of garbage every day, and a big part of it ends up in canals and drainage systems. The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also reported that more than 20 barangays experience flooding during heavy rains because of clogged drains. If we work together to stop littering and maintain clean drainage, we can reduce floods, protect lives, and make our city more resilient.

Now is the right time to care for our surroundings before another flood happens. Let’s be responsible citizens and protect our community. I am asking everyone, from residents to local leaders, to take action. Install more garbage bins, clean the canals regularly, and spread awareness through posters, social media, or community clean-up drives. Together, we can make Cebu cleaner, safer, and flood-free. Every small action matters, so let’s start by not throwing trash in the drainage.

Let’s keep our streets clean and flood-free! Improperly thrown trash in drainage causes flooding, bad smells, and health risks. Join me by signing this petition in urging our community to dispose of waste properly, clean canals regularly, and promote discipline for a cleaner, safer Cebu.