By Recto Mantiza Jr
With the desire to help strengthen the solid waste management (SWM) at the barangay level, Xavier University, in partnership with the Cagayan de Oro City Ecological Solid Waste Management Board (CESWMB), held the Barangay Solid Waste Management Conference at XU Little Theater on September 9.
The primary end of the conference was to provide concrete examples through sharing of the best and effective SWM practices among the local government units (LGUs). The event was also aimed at generating “intellectual intercourse” among the participants and resource speakers regarding the current situation of waste management of our country, in general.
Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, XU president and chairman of CESWMB, welcomed the participating 148 barangay officials coming from the 80 barangays of CDO, 39 academic personnel and 43 government employees from different agencies.
In his opening message, Fr Yap emphasized the crucial role XU as an academic institution on influencing the community to embody the values and principles of good governance, environmental protection and improving health services, among others.
In the presentations and discussions, the respective speakers shared the historical background of their SWM implementation; the challenges they encountered before, during and after the implementation; the practices, initiatives, policies, projects and activities being introduced to their constituents particularly on recycling, reduction and re-use; and their approaches in changing the behavior of every household in their areas.
The participants also shared their success indicators, achievements, awards received, and the ways and means they employed for the sustainability of the said project.
Marlon Lumbay Tabac, chairman of Brgy Gusa, CDO was the first one to share on “The Integrated Solid Waste Management Program” of their community. Elvisa B Mabelin, SWM coordinator of the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO) gave the skeletal plan of CESWMB with regard to the SWM concerns of the city.
In addition, Andres Margallo, councilor of Brgy Holy Spirit, Quezon City presented “The Community-Based Solid Waste Management” of his barangay Genevi W Grafe, a municipal environment management specialist from the LGU of Linamon, Lanao del Norte shared “The Basura Atras Linamon Abante sa Kalamboan (BALAK) Program.”
The last sharing of experiences came from Gloria C Buenaventura, chief officer of Marikina City Environmental Management Office and Melvin Cruz, administrator of Marikina City about the “Effective SWM through Effective Communication” program implemented in their city.
Varying reactions surfaced coming from the participants. Some of responses were the concerns on the scheduling and the system of waste collection and disposal to the designated landfill. Others questioned the legal implications of the non-compliance of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Meanwhile, officials from the hinterland barangays asked about the application of proposed SWM plan particularly the concern on the schedule and system of waste collection, considering the distance and geographical characteristics of their barangays.
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar S Moreno highlighted the importance of active participation of every individual as the source of success for every project. He also put emphasis on the essence of cooperation amid the different “political colors.”
In his closing message, Dr Dixon Q Yasay, director of XU - Governance and Leadership Institute (GLI), thanked the participants and urged them to consider what is best for the people and set aside their personal biases.
XU continues to engage in this cause for the environment as part of its thematic areas under Research and Social Outreach (RSO) cluster.