Colleagues pick Archival among RP’s 10 outstanding councilors

FOR his innovative environmental advocacy, a Cebu City councilor made it among this year’s 10 outstanding councilors in the country.

Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. was surprised by the award, saying he found out about his win only during the Philippine Councilors’ League 2010 End-Term National Assembly in the Cebu International Convention Center.

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Out of 10 national awardees, Archival is the only one from the Visayas. Archival attributed his win to his advocacy on mixing environmental awareness with livelihood.

He said Cebu City’s “Kwarta sa Basura” program not only promoted clean surroundings through garbage segregation, but also provided livelihood.

Another program Archival initiated was the Metro Cebu Air Shed Board (MCASB), the first of its kind in the country.

The MCASB is composed of local chief executives in Metro Cebu who agreed to take part in efforts to improve the quality of air in their communities.

Archival proposed the creation of MCASB last year. It is supposed to help the Department of Environment and Natural Resources check air quality, set emission standards, determine penalties for violators in a particular air shed, as well as draw up anti-pollution programs suited for a given area.

Archival is also responsible for the formation of the Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (Ceset), which allows the strict implementation of environmental laws, such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law.

As of yesterday, about 20,000 violators have been formally charged through the help of the local police, and about P2 million have been collected as violation fees.

Aside from Archival, other winners of this year’s PCL 10 Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines were Edwin Piano of Olongapo City, Abigael Sable of Santiago City, Ellen Reyes of San Pablo City, Raul Rivera of Cabancalan City, Gedo Jarbin Jr. of Legazpi City, Roman Melliza of General Santos City, Lourdes Tabanda of Baguio City, Aurelio Paolo Bartolome of Taguig City and Maria Belen Acosta of Davao City.

Two days before Archival’s feat was announced at the national level, his colleagues congratulated him for winning at the regional level.

The Cebu City Council lauded Archival for being chosen as the regional winner in the search conducted by the Junior Chamber International Philippines, in partnership with the office of Sen. Edgardo Angara.

Archival leads the City Government’s campaign on solid waste management, garbage recycling and environmental protection, which has earned him numerous citations within and outside Cebu.

Archival, who is on his third consecutive term and barred from seeking reelection, chairs the council’s committees on infrastructure and on parks, playgrounds, wildlife, ecology and environmental management. (JKV/LCR)/b>