Thursday, November 30, 2006

City told: Improve waste segregation, slaughterhouse services

By Roberto L. Bacasong - SunStar

TO REMAIN being the Hall of Famer for the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines, Bacolod has to improve its garbage segregation and slaughterhouse services.

This was recommended by evaluators of the Clean and Green program in Western Visayas to Mayor Evelio Leonardia after conducting a study in the city Wednesday.

Rhodora Capulso, chief of the regional public affairs office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI said that the study was meant to determine whether or not the city is practicing sustainability program after receiving the award.

The six-man team from different agencies in the region visited the city's controlled-dumpsite, slaughterhouse, and City Health Office among others.

"We are evaluating Bacolod to know if the city is doing a sustainability program."

Capulso said that the city need to focus on creating a sanitary landfill as required under the Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act.

"We suggest that the City provide colored garbage receptacles -- black for biodegradable and green for non-biodegradable," Capulso said.

On the other hand, Capulso disclosed that the contest for the national level was postponed last year because of inadequate funds.

"In the regional level, however, the program is still existing. We are recognizing those provinces and cities with outstanding clean and green program," Capulso said.

Bacolod, however, was excluded from the contest as it is already in the hall of fame.

If the national level award will be reactivated, Capulso said that Bacolod will be competing to four other Hall of Famer cities -- Baguio, Puerto Princesa, Olongapo and Marikina.

"The national body will be imposing a separate criteria to these hall of famer cities," she added.

Award

Bacolod was declared as the Clean and Green Hall of Famer for three consecutive years: 2000, 2001 and 2002 and year 1997 and 1998, receiving P1 million from the National Government.

"The City has finally earned a place in the Clean and Green Hall of Fame -- one of the most coveted and prestigious awards accorded to a local government unit," Leonardia said.

On their part, the City Council has passed an Ordinance requiring all public utility vehicle owners and drivers to provide waste cans or garbage bins in their respective vehicles, while the City Government is also working for the strict enforcement of the Anti-Littering law.

Meanwhile, the Task Force Clean and Green and the Department of Public Services are the lead agencies working on these programs.

Also playing vital roles in the implementation of the Clean and Green Program are the City Engineers Office, General Services Office, City Veterinary Office, City Agriculture Office, City Health Office, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Market Superintendent and Market Supervisors under the City Administrators Office.

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