West Visayas LGUs set up material recovery facility
San Jose, Antique -- Three Local Government Units in Antique (LGU) set up Material Recovery Facilities in support to the Solid Waste Management Program. These are the municipalities of Pandan and Anini-y, which are strategically located in northern and southern portion of the province respectively. San Jose, the capital town has its own MRF located at the Trade Town.
Vivian T. Barillo, Officer In Charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) said that MRF serves as depository site of recyclable waste materials where sorting of wastes take place. It consists of shredder machine and engine to cut down biodegradable wastes into organic fertilizers.
One vital component of MRF is the establishment of vegetable or flower garden. Biodegradable wastes processed in the shredder machine are converted into organic fertilizers to be used in the said garden, Barillo said.
Other towns in the province according to Barillo have formulated its solid waste management plan in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act 9003 also known as Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
For the municipality of Anini-y, it has allocated the amount of P120 thousand for the initial operation of MRF while the town of Pandan linked the MRF operations with civic groups and private individuals. The MRF of the town of San Jose is integrated in its SANAG KKK program or its Solid Waste Ordinance.
The source further urged municipal and barangay officials to campaign for household/individual solid waste management to reduce the volume of the garbage at the MRF.
Barillo further urged LGUs to follow the Four E's to Solid Waste Management such as Education which include intensive information dissemination and advocacy on Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Engineering - it consists of structures and support facilities for solid waste management. Enforcement which covers ordinance and formulation of solid waste management plan and Entrepreneurship covers recycling activities like composting and other livelihood projects out of waste materials.
ENRO is working hand in hand with Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Provincial Solid Waste Management Board for the implementation of RA 9003.
(PS Mabaquiao/PIA)