Board Conducts IEC Campaign on Solid Waste Management in Barangay Zambowood
The Tumaga River WQMA Governing Board conducted the second leg of its IEC campaign on solid waste management with the theme “Sustaining Shared Responsibility in Solid Waste Management through Convergence” in Barangay Zambowood on October 20, 2017. This is in collaboration with the Solid Waste Management Section of the Environmental Management Bureau Region 9 and the Office of City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR). The IEC Campaign was participated in by household members of barangays Zambowood, Boalan, and Divisoria, and students of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) under the College of Social Work and Development. There was also a display of IEC materials on solid waste management and eco bags made from discarded umbrellas. The IEC materials and eco bags were eventually distributed to the household members present.
Hon. Rommel Bacasong of Barangay Zambowood, in his welcome message, extolled the efforts of the Governing Board in the campaign on proper solid waste management. He affirmed that solid waste is one of the sources of pollution in the rivers and also the cause of local flooding in the barangay.
Lecture on Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, was given and the participants were informed on the environmental impacts of improper solid waste management that includes ground and surface water contamination, local flooding, air pollution, release of greenhouse gases, and foul odor. The role of the local government units (LGUs) and barangays as mandated in RA 9003 particularly on the conduct of segregation and collection of solid waste for biodegradable and recyclable wastes at the barangay level was also discussed.
Mr. Rodrigo Pagotaisidro of OCENR lectured on the Zamboanga City Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2016 or Ordinance No. 2016-176. He mentioned that the Ordinance mandates the segregation of waste at source or point of origin, to include households, institutional, industrial, commercial / business establishments and agricultural sources, specifically for the compostable, recyclable, and reusable waste. He emphasized that it is the duty of the respective barangay council / committee to supervise waste segregation and resource recovery from the household, building, premises or place of business within the barangay.
Mr. Pagotaisidro informed the participants that the Ordinance also mandates segregated collection and transportation of solid wastes. To implement this provision, he mentioned that solid waste generators are directed to place their waste in designated points and at the appointed collection schedule as designated by the Barangay or the City. He emphasized that no garbage shall be placed outside the house or business establishment, except on the hour of garbage pickup.
To apprehend violators of the Ordinance particular on anti-littering, barangay officials, barangay “tanods” and “purok” officials of the respective barangays and other law enforcers will be deputized in the issuance of citation tickets. Violators he said will have to pay a fine of two hundred pesos at the City Treasurer’s Office within seventy two (72) hours or else they will be filed with a case by the City Legal Officer.
Mr. Pagotaisidro also announced the upcoming activities in relation to the Ordinance, to wit:
Motorcade for the information drive on the Ordinance on November 23, 2017
City-wide cleanup on November 25, 2017
Issuance of citation ticket will start on November 27, 2017
A video on the proper household management of solid wastes was presented. The video highlighted the importance of practicing the three R’s of solid waste management (reduce, reuse, recycle), segregation at source, and backyard composting. A demonstration on waste segregation was conducted and the participants were allowed to segregate household solid wastes and deposit into labeled storage bins for biodegradable, recyclables, residual and special wastes. A demonstration of backyard composting using the “lasagna method” was also done. Recycled PET bottles were used as composting bins and composting materials used were kitchen wastes such as vegetable and fruit peelings. The participants were also encouraged to use the eco bags when they go to the market in order to replace plastic “sando” bags.
Kagawad Daisy Tangon of Barangay Pasonanca, in her closing message, urged the barangay officials present to do their part to comply with the Ordinance and the participants to practice what was taught during the activity especially on waste segregation and the composting of biodegradable wastes.
