Capiz barangay push unique waste management program

Under the “Sardinas sa Basura” program of Barangay Baybay, Roxas City, a sack of trash collected along the coastline of Baybay beach will be exchanged with four cans of sardines. The program aims to keep the Baybay beach trash-free, says village chief Reynaldo Magallanes. GLENN BEUP/PN

By Glenn Beup

The “Sardinas sa Basura” program of Barangay Baybay has gained support from residents.

As of Monday, a total of 40 sacks of trash collected along the coastline of Baybay beach were brought to the barangay hall in exchange of four cans of sardines each, according to village chief Reynaldo Magallanes.

The program – which aims to keep the Baybay beach trash-free – began on Saturday, Magallanes added.

"We saw the big support of our residents in the program. In the past three days, 40 sacks of non-biodegradable trash were collected from them,” Magallanes told Panay News in Ilonggo.

He added that he will meet with other stakeholders, including hotel and restaurant owners, this Friday in preparation for the “formal launch” of the program.

There are around 35 registered restaurants and several hotels and lodging houses in the village.

Currently, the program is exclusive to residents of Barangay Baybay.

Under the program, residents must bring their collected trash to the barangay hall. A truck will then transport the trash to the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay San Jose.

Magallanes earlier said that other coastal barangays in the city – like Dumolog and Culasi – can also adopt the program.

Yesterday, Baybay village officials had a dialogue with Bo Bediones, special assistant of former Interior and Local Government secretary Mar Roxas.

“We will set the formal launching of this initiative because Gerry Roxas Foundation will be assisting us in this endeavor,” said Bediones.

It was Roxas who presented the idea of creating the program on July 9.

Village officials will also strictly impose penalties to violators of the Barangay Solid Waste Management Ordinance.

“We will post billboards in the establishments for the beachgoers to be informed of the penalties for littering,” said Magallanes.

Under the ordinance, violators will be fined P200 and eight hours of community service for first offense, P350 and 16 hours of community service for second offense, and P650 and 32 hours of community service for third offense.

(Reposted from and photo credit: Panay News. Original title: 'Sardinas sa Basura' gain Baybay residents' support)