By Leilanie Adriano/PNA
LAOAG CITY — Host communities of the largest wind power farm in Burgos, Ilocos Norte are starting to make use of their garbage wisely with proper management and constant practice.
Through the Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) corporate social responsibility program, some villagers of Burgos town particularly in Barangays Poblacion, Nagsurot and Saoit are actively engaged in the implementation of a 10-year integrated solid waste management plan which turns solid wastes into something beneficial to the community.
In an interview last weekend, EDC’s CSR program head Deborah Melchor said an ecobricks workshop was conducted on February 22 in Burgos town through the Green Innovations and Conservation Specialists, Inc. (GICS) which the Burgos wind farm launched to empower local communities on waste management.
The hands-on training taught villagers how to make bricks out of recycled plastic wastes.
Like in most parts of the country, Melchor said garbage problem has become a major concern in Burgos town hence, the company has decided to assist local government units (LGUs) in complying with the provisions of Republic Act 9003, or the so-called Ecological Solid Waste Management law.
To date, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been strictly monitoring this. Failure to comply could mean an administrative case against an LGU.
As a beneficiary to the project, Poblacion village chief Joegie Jimenez said Tuesday they are grateful for having EDC as their main sponsor in carrying out activities on solid waste management.
“It takes a lot of patience, hard work and sacrifice to do it but the price is rewarding,” Jimenez said, citing some of their waste recycling products exhibited at the village hall are being bought and pre-ordered by balikbayans and some visitors.
For now, the Poblacion village under Jimenez watch is a model barangay on waste management.
In fact, Jimenez himself has shared the best practices of the village in the Liga Congress held in Baguio City last week. This was attended by 745 barangay officials from Ilocos Norte.
Aside from ecobricks making, the EDC is also active in massive information and education campaign geared towards environment protection and management.
