THE Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) will spearhead the implementation of the "Barangay Kapitolyo Solid Waste Management" program, which was introduced to employees during the regular flag ceremony on September 2, 2019.
The program covers five major policies, such as refuse or reduce strategy; sewage or septage management; segregation or source policy; no segregation, no collection policy; and recycling strategy.
Low density plastics and styrofoams as food containers or wrappers will be banned or minimized. Only biodegradable or organic materials will be used to wrap or pack food items at the canteen.
Caterers will be required to provide refillable water containers instead of bottled mineral water. They will also be required to provide reusable cups.
Employees are required to bring their own metal, ceramic, or other reusable food containers when buying "take out" food items at the canteen or from ambulant vendors. They are also required to bring their own ceramic mugs for coffee and other beverages.
Plastic straws and stirrers will be prohibited.
Waste segregation should be observed within offices. Individual bins will not be allowed.
There will be no collection on offices with unsegregated wastes. The office concerned shall be responsible to bring their uncollected wastes to the material recovery facility of the Capitol.
A material recovery facility shall be maintained at the Capitol building and Iloilo Sports Complex.
A "composting area" for biodegradable and organic wastes shall be maintained by the Provincial Agriculture Office. Only residual wastes shall be turned over to the collector of the Iloilo City Government.
Employees are also enjoined to practice "Trash in a Bottle" as a way to reduce plastic wastes.
Penro head lawyer Arturo Cangrejo said they will immediately implement the program upon the issuance of an executive order by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.
Defensor earlier said the solid waste management program will be radiated to the municipalities.
"The population of the Capitol is like one barangay. We want that the Barangay Kapitolyo will be a good laboratory of the solid waste management program of the province," Defensor said. (PR)