Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Zambosur forum to deal with garbage management

REMAI ALEJADO
Provincial Press Bureau

A forum on solid waste management is being scheduled by the Provincial Government as an exertion of compliance to RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

The whole day discussion will be called the Zambosur Solid Waste Management Forum and will be held at the Liga ng Barangay Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 12.

Supervising Environmental Management Specialist Carmencita D. Singgo said that Gov. Aurora Cerilles and Vice-Gov. Roseller Ariosa would lead other attending local executives and stakeholders in the said forum.

The governor’s husband, Rep. Antionio Cerilles, formerly appointed as DENR secretary during the incumbency of deposed President Joseph Estrada, will give his keynote speech on the subject matter.

DENR Assistant secretary and concurrent National Solid Waste Management Council (NSWMC) executive director Gerardo Calderon will converse on RA 9003’s relevant features and the mechanics of the Zero Basura Olympics.

Zero Basura Olympics: A Race to Conquer Garbage in 300 Days, is a program which offers recognition for best practices in waste management, using the 3Rs: reduce, recycle, reuse wastes.

DENR Sec. Lito Atienza launched Zero Basura Olympics last June to speed up RA 9003’s implementation and create a "garbage-free" landscape.

Under RA 9003, local government units are mandated to set up an ecology center in every village for the segregation of wastes and stop the burning of garbages and open dumpsites, among others.

A so-called three-strike policy approach is being employed by DENR and NSWMC against hardheaded LGUs that still violate the law and operate open and controlled dumpsites.

These and other principles will be discussed by Eligio Ildefonso, still of the NSWMC when he accompanies Calderon in the forum.

As if to stimulate other municipalities, an awarding ceremony to Best Implementers of Solid Waste Management Key Elements – municipal level is also slated on the forum.

The towns of Guipos, Dumingag, Margosatubig, Dumalinao, San Pablo and Labangan will surely get their awards as the first three respective mayors--Francisco Oraiz, Jr. Nacianceno Pacalioga Jr. and George Minor--will give testimony and updates about their solid waste management efforts.

Provincial Administrator and PEMO Pepito Degamo will also take part and present Zambosur’s Environmental Code and will tackle the issues and problems of waste management in the province.

LMP head Mayor Ace William Cerilles will likewise lead other mayors in forging their commitment to support the province-wide ecological solid waste management effort.