LAOAG CITY — Village officials and residents pushing for environment protection in the province have praised President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), particularly his statement that environment is a top priority under his administration.
Estrella Sacro, Environment and Natural Resources Officer of the Ilocos Norte government, enjoined all Ilocanos to “join our hands in realizing this thrust of the government,” as she noted that everyone’s support is needed and crucial.
The province, she also said, will soon establish a cluster plastic recycling and resource recovery facility using Japanese technology.
According to Sacro, a memorandum of agreement is now being prepared to facilitate this undertaking between Ilocos Norte and the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).
Earlier, the EMB granted the release of approximately PHP24.5 million for the project. Once established, environment officials here are hopeful the volume of waste in the province will be significantly reduced.
Under the provisions of Republic Act 9003, a plastic waste recycling facility is needed to reduce the volume of waste being generated in a locality.
In Burgos town, the latest pronouncement of the President in his SONA has inspired residents and officials to continue what they have started.
“I am so grateful that the administration of President Duterte gave priority on environment protection. I believe that this should start in the barangays and local government units,” said village chief Joegie Jimenez of Poblacion, Burgos, Ilocos Norte.
“In our village, we have already initiated programs and activities to make our constituents become fully aware on the importance of saving the planet and we are hoping it will be sustained through the years,” said Jimenez.
As part of the environment protection initiatives of the Burgos residents, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee, in collaboration with the Barangay Council of Poblacion, recently organized an eco-fun walk and eco-fashion show and exhibit to showcase recycled products made by the villagers themselves.
The products included recycled waste bins made of plastic bottles, home decors and other eco products made of plastic and paper which were sold to visitors.
The local government of Poblacion has also launched a project dubbed as, “Save the Pusuak Spring”, enjoining locals to plant more trees around the area and do regular clean-up drives.
Meanwhile, several youth volunteers are also making the rounds of public markets in the province to distribute eco-bags to discourage residents from using plastics.
Funded by Vice Governor Eugenio Angelo Marcos Barba, the eco-bag distribution project received a positive remark from the locals.
Meanwhile, some market goers use the traditional “bayong” in an effort to reduce usage of plastic bags which are among the top four contributors to plastic pollution. (Leilanie Adriano/PNA)
