Spirit of bayanihan

WE MAY now be at the modern age but the spirit of bayanihan, an old typical values of Filipinos, is still very much alive among the residents in Pinsao Pilot Project in Baguio City. In fact, that is the main reason why the area is considered as one of the model barangays in the compliance of solid waste management program in the city.

Punong Barangay Sotero Dulaycan said ever since, they have been following the city ordinance on the strict implementation of waste segregation. After the tragedy that happened at Irisan dumpsite on August 27, 2011 at the height of typhoon Mina, which claimed lives in the vicinity when its retaining wall collapsed, their barangay decided to take a bigger leap in addressing the garbage problem as one way of helping the City Government.

Immediately after that Irisan incident, the barangay officials held a meeting and decided to intensify the campaign on solid waste segregation in their area. Volunteers were called for the strict monitoring of waste segregation and the group that first to respond to the call was the Pinsao Pilot Senior Citizens Association now headed by Romeo Soriano.

As early as 5 a.m., the senior citizens together with the barangay kagawads are already stationed at the three designated pick up point areas - Purok 2 (the entrance of the barangay) Purok 1 (in front of the barangay hall) and Purok 3 (turning point), to check and monitor the dumping of garbage, making sure that no biodegradable are mixed with the non-biodegradable wastes.

“The spirit of bayanihan is being done in the implementation of solid waste program. Unity, cooperation, and coordination equals good team work,” Dulaycan said.

Dulaycan also said there are no longer biodegradable wastes that are being hauled in their area by the garbage collectors because they manage to address this concern by putting up a 12x12 meter eco-composting plant which is just 500 meters away from the barangay hall.

Barangay Kagawad Bernard Batay-an said together with the barangay tanods, they make sure that no mixed wastes will be dumped at the pick-up point areas. If ever there are some who will attempt to break the rules they try all their best to trace the owner of the garbage and return it back to them.

Today, Pinsao, named by the Ibaloi forefathers of the early settlers of the place who called the place as the “place of thick clouds,” already have a total of 11 groups working hand in hand in ensuring the successful implementation of solid waste management program in the barangay level.

Joining the senior citizens are the Twin Creek Womens Club with leader Pearl Paliyan, Pinsao Pilot Project Womens Club lead by Emily Canisi and the Parents Teachers Association of Pinsao Pilot Elementary and High School headed by Jude Mendoza and Brenda Busaing, respectively.

Completing the group of volunteers are the Pinsao Operators Drivers Association headed by Gaspar Angguis, the youth organization MATUGSA lead by Monte Cawiding, Tricom Village Association spearheaded by Bonifacio Dacuyan, Darts Club Association lead by Thomas Tarnate , Pagasa Youth Association, and the Episcopal Womens Organization under the leadership of Barangay Kagawad Virginia Malag,

Malag said managing their solid waste is already a part of their life. “We are doing this for the glory of the barangay, the city, nation, and the world as well,” she said.

Her fellow Kagawad Gertrude Coy-om, on the other hand, said managing the solid waste management program well is very important for the good of the city and to ensure people’s good health while Kagawad Lydia Culos, who started as a street sweeper in their area in 1995 and now a member of the district health sanitation said that she is proud helping their community and this spirit of volunteerism comes from her heart.

Located at the North of La Trinidad, east of Pinget, west of Pinsao Proper and south of Central Guisad, the barangay is divided into seven Puroks covering a total land area of approximately 184,298 square meters. Based from the Barangay Census 2009, this area has a 3,939 population, which is composed of 885 families and 647 households with the Apllais and Bontocs as the major ethic groups of people.

I believe another reason for the successful implementation of solid waste management program in Pinsao Pilot Project is because the residents having high respect to the elders who are working hard to make their barangay clean and healthy. Maybe another reason has something to do with culture wherein the people have closer ties tracing similar root in Mountain Province.

Everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment. One very important contribution every citizen can do on this aspect is to help address the pressing issue about garbage affecting the public health by following the solid waste management program which is clearly explained in Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 otherwise known as Republic Act 9003, the law that provides a systematic, comprehensive, and ecological solid waste management program in the country.

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