Mayor Dickpus reminds yLubuagens responsibility to environment in fight against solid wastes

Lubuagan, Kalinga - Lubuagan Mayor Charisma Anne Dickpus reminded constituents to become responsible for protecting the environment, starting with the need to address solid waste issues in the municipality.

In an interview, this December 14, 2021, the Mayor acknowledged the difficulty of battling garbage even in their municipality but related that everyone is regularly reminded to mind their litters and help keep surroundings clean and free of garbage as well as to practice recycling.

In a statement, Dickpus said “It is our ecological goal to make an effort for yLubuagens to be environmentally conscious. As the municipality moves to recover from the pandemic, the LGU is not disregarding its responsibility in doing its part in protecting the environment. We shall all do our part.”

The mayor made the statement after the local government unit (LGU) concluded their environmental programs during the celebration of the National Environmental Awareness Month intended to reduce negative environmental activities there.

“These programs are vital to let people be aware of the harmful effects of our failure to protect our environment,” Dickpus said.

The LGU joined the celebration aiming to spread awareness about environmental protection practices such as the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” as part of their waste management program, volunteering for cleanups in the community, education campaign to understand the value of natural resources, planting trees, among others.

Going Green

The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) reported that a total of 166 tree seedlings were planted during the LGU’s tree planting activity on November 2 at the Awichon Eco- Park where a one-hectare tree park is being proposed.

The activity spearheaded by Lubuagan Municipal Police Station was done with the support of the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Lubuagan’s youth organizations, and the DENR where 40 Melina seedlings, 21 Java Plum, 40 Mahogany, 40 Marang provided by MENRO, and 15 Alnus wildling seedling from the LGU were planted.

MENRO likewise informed that they were also able to check the survival of the trees that they planted during their first tree-planting activity last June 2021 where 98 percent of the trees survived.

Waste Management

Mayor Dickpus proudly related what the LGU has done to achieve - if not to eliminate - the cutback on waste especially hazardous garbage through the efforts of its MENRO.

“The MENRO has been actively campaigning regarding waste issues in Lubuagan. Isu dayta iti kanayon da a banbantayan since awan pay met iti makuna a final landfill disposal tayo. So, with their guidance and thorough studies nu kasanu (a ma-lessen ti waste), we were able to come up with a solution,” Mayor Dickpus said.

On November 10, the municipality of Lubuagan received Solid Waste Machines, these include two Glass Pulverizer and/or Crashers and two Multipurpose Shredders which were respectively installed at the Awichon Eco-Park and at Barangay Tanglag.

MENRO designated officer Ailleen Alya-on detailed that the two machines were acquired through the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) project. This shall cater to other barangays in Lubuagan; while the two other machines were granted to Barangay Tanglag through the CEST project for communist terrorist groups (CTG) affected areas.

“So diay ket for management ti basura ta, like in Tanglag, haan nga accessible ti kalsada, so haan a ma-collect ti LGU ti basura. Isu a naikkan da, siyempre maysa nga influenced area da… so i-process da idiayen diay basura to also lessen transportation costs [sic],” Alya-on clarified.

The MENRO expects that residents and consumers of said barangay would be able to efficiently operate the machines to recycle glass, pointing out that these are the common trash found in the locality.

She said that the processed glasses may be used to mix with concrete and general fill materials “depending on the mixture” and this is also seen to help generate income for the barangay.

The same is also expected from the machines awarded to the LGU that will cater to the rest of the barangays.

Meanwhile, the environment officer also added that the multipurpose shredders are for the grinding of biodegradable materials that can be converted to organic and/or fertilizers. The shredders can also grind crush plastic wastes like plastic bottles and cellophane.

Alya-on said the machines are a big help to reduce the bulk of waste materials in the municipality.

Waste Processing Facility

Along with the DOST-granted machines, the LGU also built a Waste Disposal Facility as counterpart for the management of wastes.

“We are eyeing to reduce garbage volume. The project is also to build awareness and behaviors in waste management, make sure that items are reused, donated, recycled, composted, or disposed of properly. So instead of burning or tinatapon sa vacant lot or sa mga creek, is i-collect nila and then i-shred or i-crush it para at least minsanan ang collection,” Alya-on said.

She added that a clearing of a proposed sanitary landfill has also been conducted by the Lubuagan Municipal Police Station personnel.

Clean-up Drive

Through Lubuagan Municipal Health Office, together with national line agencies, conducted a massive clean-up-drive in barangays that have recorded numerous cases of Dengue, a disease that usually rises during the rainy season.

The drive is a move to highlight the importance of cleanliness in the environment, not just to prevent the spread of Dengue and other diseases, but to remind communities that a clean environment promotes good health and is free from sickness.

Said activity was participated by volunteers, students, police personnel, fire officers, and LGU’s employees.

IECs on Hospital Waste Collections

Aside from the Information and Education Campaign (IEC) on the types of garbage, the participants were also taught about properly disposing of hospital or Covid-related wastes like face-shields, cotton, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), Rapid Antigen test kits, needles, and other hazardous materials.

“Kasi bawal siya na ihalo sa domestic waste or normal waste. So mga itong waste, like the face mask, i-spray-an ng alcohol and then i-fold and then pwede siyang iseparate sa different container, with a label for collection na,” informed Alya-on.

She said that the IEC has to be done for people to practice waste segregation in time for the completion of the construction of the municipality’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) septic vault, which shall solely cater to hazardous wastes.

“The collection schedule ay hindi pa regular pero kukunin ng ating Rural Sanitary Inspectors itong mga ito na may label tapos ilalagay sa MRF, ilalagay sa septic vault for hazardous waste or special wastes na makoconstruct pa lang pero while waiting na matapos ang construction, ilalagay muna sa sealable na plastic drum,” she informed.

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