Tuesday, April 01, 2008 City acquires P6-M waste management equipment By Albert B. Lacanlale
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The City Government here officially deployed to work about P6 million worth of heavy equipment mainly intended for its effort to maintain cleanliness in the capital city's surroundings.
The equipment, consisting of eight garbage compactors, two manlift trucks, and a utility service vehicle were blessed by Monsignor Ric Serrano of the Metropolitan Cathedral in the presence of Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, Vice-Mayor Edwin Santiago, city councilors, barangay captains and City Government employees.
"Environmental management efforts in the city have received an added boost with the recent acquisition of garbage collection equipment by the City Government of San Fernando," Rodriguez said.
He said the acquisition was made in the wake of recommendations from a technical working group involved in the city's solid waste management program.
The fund used for the purchase of the equipment was derived from savings accrued from the "judicious use of the city's calamity fund," the mayor said.
He also reiterated his call for public involvement in said program in the face of continuing environmental degradation and thus encouraged barangay captains to maintain "clean and green" projects in their areas in coordination with the City Environment and Natural Resources of San Fernando.
For his part, City Administrator Fer Caylao said the trucks will be deployed to collect separately biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes in the city.
At present, he said garbage is regularly hauled by a private contractor whose services are hampered by the quality of its open trucks that are unsanitary and badly in need of maintenance.
Caylao further said the manlift trucks will be used in maintaining the city's roads and highways, in pruning trees, taking down unnecessary signage, arranging unsightly cables and wires, and for other utility needs of the city, including demolition of informal settlements.
"The city has also received a new Rosa van as donation from Landco Pacific, a private corporation," Caylao added.
