EDITORIAL

Managing Solid Wastes

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

The weekly Kapihan on February 12, 2011 focused its attention on the state of ecological solid waste management in the premiere town of Kalibo, Aklan. Guests are Ms. Juliet Melgarejo, Chief, Municipal Economic Enterprise & Development Office (MEEDO), Ms. Adorada T. Reynaldo, PSO II, Dr. Emmet L. Custodio, Consultant on Health & Environment, and Mr. Abel Plicarpio, Market Administrator.

In his opening statement, Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino said that LGUs are mandated to fully implement RA 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management. Kalibo has enacted Municipal Ordinance No. 2009 – 004 which aims to adopt and implement a responsive ecological solid waste management program that is anchored on sound legislation. Benefits would redound to better health of the people and preservation of favorable environment.

The former Kalibo alderman cited the 1999 Payatas tragedy wherein 300 people died. This is a valuable lesson learned from our lapses in solid waste management.

Ms. Melgarejo said that MEEDO is a revenue generating entity composed of market, cash, tourism cultural affairs, public affairs, information and communication, agricultural services, transport and traffic management. It has a specific power to supervise personnel in the delivery of services including collection and disposal of garbage.

Ms. Reynaldo averred that implementation of RA 9300 is based on five E’s namely: Engineering, Education, Environmental, Education, Enforcement, and Equity. Successful outcome depends largely on how well components are finely tuned and integrated with each other.

The engineering aspect on waste segregation at Bakhao Sur is under construction. Education on solid waste segregation must begin at home, school or office where separate containers for biodegradable and recyclable wastes are kept.

Environmental education requires behavioral/attitude change in people churning out one-half kilogram of trash per person per day and law enforcers to be vigilant against saboteurs. The provincial capital’s population is noted to swell to one-third its size by day as a result of students and people doing businesses in the area. Kalibo Auxiliary Police (KAP) has been deputized to implement the ordinance.

Equity is economic aspect of recovering sizeable investment. The dirty jobs division hopes to convert trash into good use particularly fertilizer, recycled products and methane gas.

Mr. Policarpio confirmed that the wet market is the biggest generator of solid wastes. Presently, it is a pilot area that entails full com-plement of market cleaners 16 hours a day. The spirit of normalcy and orderliness had finally come to the facility where shopping is enjoyable and wholesome.

Health and sanitation were voiced out by Dr. Custodio to warn the public of tragic con-sequences if basic safeguards are not met. He said that hospitals, private clinics and funeral parlors must comply with sanitary disposal of their pathological and chemical wastes. These entities must provide their own septic tank and or incinerator.

Waste segregation at the source should be implemented now rather than await final completion of engineering works at open dumpsite in Bakhao Sur. The policy of no segregation, no collection implemented in cities like Baguio, Puerto Princcesa, and elsewhere could be strong motivation for citizens to comply with provisions of the law.
Following the Greenpeace findings that the sea has become reservoir of trash especially plastic, lawmakers must pass legislation to outlaw the use of plastic containers and wrappers mostly used in commerce. Non biodegradable wastes emit poisonous substances, clog drainage, and septic tanks and responsible for accidental death of porpoises, whales and dolphins.

Instead, bayongs made of buri, baskets (rattan, nitto, bamboo) and wrappers (newspaper, banana leaves) are preferred because they are environmental and budget friendly. It is distinctly Filipino and evokes feeling of nationalism and pride.

Anti littering ordinance must be given teeth by law enforcers. Cigarette butt throwing violation is a fine of P200 while wrapping material exacts P400. Perhaps those who could not pay the fine must be required to undertake street cleaning services for a day or two.

It is reported that only four garbage trucks are now operational because a few was retired from active service. This is the main reason why some areas are not routinely serviced on scheduled dates. Imagine the stinking garbage in your house if not disposed within 10-14 days? Cogent need is for Mayor William Lachica to maintain adequate number of garbage trucks to collect segregated wastes on specified days.

Once implemented, Material Recovery Facility (MRF) managed by Barangay Councils will have their hands full in turning waste into gold. Perhaps an inter-barangay contest cold be held in this endeavor, the winners proclaimed and awarded during Foundation Day of Kalibo.

The drive towards effective management of solid wastes require firm and sustained compliance of pertinent laws by individuals, families and groups. It can be baby walk at first but there must be continuous progression toward the ideal. Successful implementers are leaders who govern people not by coercion but by voluntary cooperation.

For this reason, massive educational drive in cooperation with NGO, student organization and mass media (TV, Radio, Newspaper) must be waged in all 16 barangays of Kalibo. A clean and vibrant environment is not an impossible dream but a reality that affects our present life and future generation. Necessarily, it is a collective effort of humanity on a global scale. /MP