|
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Talk back: Dalaguete as model
By Jun Erasmo E. Villafane
Regional director
Environmental Management Bureau 7
This refers to a news report entitled “50 towns, cities violate the law” (Sun.Star Cebu, Sept. 10, 2004), which stated that Dalaguete is one of the 50 towns violating RA 9003 as it uses an open dump.
The reference list you have is actually not updated. Dalaguete then and now is completely different as far as Eco-Solid Waste Management compliance is concerned. With this, our office hereby wishes to correct the negative image painted in the report.
Dalaguete is miles ahead in solid waste management. The Philippine Australian Community Assistance Program (Pacap) and Mag-uugmad Foundation, Inc. helped in converting the town’s open dump to a controlled one that bears most of the necessary features of a sanitary landfill.
First to comply
Dalaguete was the first town in Cebu to comply with provisions of RA 9003 or the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. It has an integrated ecological solid waste management system not to mention the proper residual waste disposal.
Over a period of two years, Dalaguete sought reliable partners, additional financial sources and technical expertise. On Nov. 14, 2001, it launched the Dalaguete Solid Waste Management Program (DSWMP).
The main objective of the DSWMP is to establish an integrated solid waste management system with components interrelated in synergy. It centers on the sanitary landfill and the establishment and operation of materials recovery facilities.
The Project Management Office was institutionalized to oversee its operations. A poster-making contest was held to create awareness among the young, so too community trainings on the basic functional components of Solid Waste Management.
Improved collection
Dalaguete now has a system on improved collection and transfer of wastes involving the segregation. Organic waste materials are composted and the products supported the farming activities of the vegetable growers in Brgy. Mantalongon and adjacent areas.
It also started instituting a barangay-based recovery facility aside from the one located in their controlled dumpsite. The first ever barangay MRF was launched last Nov. 18, 2003 in Brgy. Cambangyaw, Poblacion, Dalaguete.
Since then, residents became more involved in segregation and recycling activities.
Activities of the education committee of the DSWMP have been designed to establish the ideals of environmentally sound waste management in the hearts and minds of the Dalaguetnons.
The Mag-uugmad Foundation aided Dalaguete in providing technical expertise and know-how on waste management through its German Consultant, Frank Boemer. EMB and the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau are also extended their technical support.
Recognition
Pacap is providing financial assistance to the program for hree years.
Dafepo, an umbrella organization of people and community-based organizations in Dalaguete, is actively involved in composting.
Other responsive local stakeholders and government agencies compose the current DSWMP advisory board. A collation of all these efforts made the project feasible and sustainable.
Dalaguete is seen as an active protagonist for environmental preservation, protection and rehabilitation. In fact, it has received recognition from then DENR Secretary Elisea Gozun.
(September 23, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
