The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) asked the newly elected barangay officials to seriously buckle down to work by initiating appropriate measures on proper solid waste management especially with the advent of the rainy season.
“Be advocates for the environment. Protection of the environment and proper solid waste management practices should start in our barangays in order to prevent clogging of drainage systems which may lead to flooding,” said DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo M. Año.
In Memorandum Circular 2018-112, Año called on the barangay newly elected officials (BNEOs) to organize or reorganize their respective barangay ecological solid waste management committee (BESWMC) that shall take the lead in formulating a community solid waste management program consistent with the municipality/city.
The BESWMC will be composed of the punong barangay as the chairperson, and one sangguniang barangay, SK chairperson, president of homeowners association, public/private school principal or representatives, one parents and teachers association president or representative, one representative from a religious organization, business community, environmental nongovernmental organization, junk shop’s owners organization and president of the market vendors’ association as members.
Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological and Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 provides the creation of the BESWMC as well as stipulates that segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level, specifically for biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes.
Año also asked the local chief executives to stringently implement various ESWM policies and rules saying that through them “communities will experience less flooding caused by garbage-clogged drainage system.”
Among the other functions and responsibilities of BESWMC are:
§ establish within the barangay o clusters of barangay a Material Recovery Facility (MRF);
§ allocate barangay funds for the barangay ESWM program approved by the sangguniang barangay; and
§ integrate ESWM program in the Barangay Development Plan and/or annual investment plan.
“BESWMC is instrumental in carrying out ESWM initiatives in the barangays. In fact they are expected to conduct trainings in barangays on topics such as segregation, composting, recycling and livelihood opportunities,” he added.
Año noted barangay-level committee is also expected to establish a system of buying and selling of recyclable wastes including compost as well as promote livelihood activities from waste materials.
“To ensure the support and cooperation of community residents and other stakeholders, barangays may also enact ordinances to establish an awards system, provide other incentives and impose sanctions in the barangay,” he concluded.
Source: Manila Bulletin
In Photo: The MRF or materials recovery facility of a barangay in San Fernando City, Pampanga which is being hailed by environmentalists as the only city that has, so far, been able to follow the 13-year-old Ecological Solid Waste Management Act to a tee. Photo Credit: Pia Ranada/Rappler
No comments:
Post a Comment