Naga’s waste policy: One brgy compliant; info drive ongoing

CEBU, Philippines - Out of 28 barangays in Naga City, only Barangay North Poblacion has complied with the implementation of the 'No Segregation, No Collection Policy' in compliance with Republic Act 9003, otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, launched last Monday (January 2).

Nagahanons were encouraged to segregate their garbage, separating biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes that will be collected by FDRCon Co. Inc., the city's partner in disposing of its waste.

The policy is part of Mayor Kristine Chiong's 10-point program to intensify and enforce the city's Greening and Solid Waste Management program.

"Naa'y barangay ni-pick up, angNorth Poblacion. The households are implementing segregation at source. It makes me happy nga naa'y uban nakasabot sa atong programa but the rest, continuous ang education, pagpahibaw unsa'y importansya," she said.

Chiong added that she understands the situation of her constituents, saying that residents were still coping with the new policy.  She said that they sent green marshals to each household to educate residents on the importance of segregation.

Based on the characterization research made by the city last year, they found out that 60 percent of the collected garbage were biodegradable, she said.

If residents would take care of their biodegradable wastes by means of creating compost pits, the city's expenses would lessen.

"Basically, they (household) are the solution," Chiong stressed.

She has given her constituents six months to learn and apply the new policy, adding that they are now drafting an ordinance for the imposition of sanctions after the period.

On the positive side, Chiong observed that students have begun following the policy.

Sherwin Baluran, a college student from the Professional Academy of the Philippines in Naga, said that they are also complying with the policy, particularly at the public market where his mother works.

Jane Algarme, a grade ten student of the City of Naga Special Science High School, said that they have also started segregating their waste. Teachers are also helping to inform students of the new policy.

Chariz Espinosa, an online teacher residing in Barangay Inuburan, said that despite it being difficult for them, she vowed that they will comply with the mandate.

"I can't promise to do so but maybe we will try, because it's not easy to directly stop the things that became your habit for a very long time already," she said. (FREEMAN)