GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ, Cavite — This town inked a partnership with EcoWaste Coalition (Ecowaste) Tuesday to achieve “zero waste” by end of 2018.
Mayor Walter D. Echavarria, Jr. and EcoWaste group’s President Eileen Sison, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that seeks to strengthen the implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act in the town’s thriving communities.
Michael Templonuevo, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) said the MOA serves to formalize the partnership “since EcoWaste Coalition has been helping our town since October last year.”
The project seeks to strengthen the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act in the town’s thriving communities, Templonuevo said.
Under the agreement, the town will manage the information drive and other necessary “below the line” undertakings on coordination and assistance with EcoWaste.
As NGO partner of the municipal government and the DILG, the EcoWaste Coalition will conduct a study on household ecological solid waste management (ESWM) practice, implement a capacity building program for the seven focal barangays and provide technical assistance to these barangays to enhance existing solid waste management (SWM) ordinances.
A strong advocate for zero waste resource management, EcoWaste will also conduct awareness and outreach activities to the other 20 barangays and the association of junk shop operators and waste pickers in the municipality.
Echavarria expressed his full support to undertake this environmental initiative to complement and reinforce the town’s efforts to clean up its 27 barangays, reduce garbage generation, and heighten municipal compliance to RA 9003.
For her part, Sison expressed her excitement over this forged partnership, which she hopes will translate to greater citizen awareness and involvement on ESWM.
She likewise lauded the local officials for embracing this well-timed project.
The “Cavite Zero Waste Project” may sound ambitious, “pero di natin mararating ang ating ambisyon kung di natin sisimulan,” (we cannot achieve our goal if we don’t start) added Templonuevo.
This town, through its MENRO, has done its waste assessment and characteristic study and now operates a biogas digester at Nicolasa Virata Public Market that is capable of treating 50 kilos of biodegradable market waste, as well as wastewater, per day.
It also runs a portable biogas digester for household and community use that is able to treat three kilos of domestic waste per day.
The local MENRO here, which also currently heads the association of ENROs of Cavite province, is also mobilizing 4P beneficiaries in their drive to eliminate waste, partnership of which with Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to be formalized by April 24. (Gladys Pino/PNA)
