Sunday, January 27, 2008 USAid impressed with various projects in NegOR By Syril G. Repe and Edmund Sestoso
KEY officials of the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) is on high praises on the implementation of various environmental and other developmental projects in Negros Oriental.
USAid Mission Director Jon Linbord was impressed by the development of Bayawan City in terms of its Ecological Solid Waste Management implementation.
The city is implementing its Solid Waste Management with the assistance of the Environmental Governance Project 2 (EcoGov2) funded by the USAid.
City Mayor German Sarana said the EcoGov 2 teams have presented the project in some 20 Local Government Units (LGUs) in the country.
Bayawan City was one of those that immediately instituted and activated its Ecological Solid Waste Management board and technical working group for planning system, education, and information drive.
Sarana said the LGUs achieve 25 percent of water diversion in compliance of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
The Ecological Solid Management Program legitimized proper segregation, collection and disposable of solid waste.
It also provides through a local ordinance the imposition of penalties for violators.
The city has developed so far the waste Water Management Treatment, Cleanest Public market, the bio-fuel production, and the water shades area among others.
In response, USAid Director Linbord said through USAid, his country would continue to support the city's different projects especially those in connection with conserving the natural resources.
USAid was also impressed by the projects initiated by Silliman University.
Topping the list of the successful projects is the Community Based Coastal Resource Management (CBRMP) where Indonesia has copied the same.
On the other hand, Daniel Moore, chief of the USAid-Philippines Office of Energy and Environment said there are many success stories at Silliman University that are notable as they were developed here and replicated elsewhere.
The USAid has already poured millions of dollars in funds for the SU Center for Excellence in Coastal Resource Management, the Silliman University Angelo King Center of Resources and Environmental Management and the SU Marine Laboratory, among other projects.
