Apas builds own facility for garbage

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Apas in Cebu City has opened its own Material Recovery Facility (MRF) that would take care of garbage produced by its residents.

Captain Ramil Ayuman said the MRF has a solid waste transfer station or sorting station, drop-off center, a composting facility, and a recycling facility.

"The MRF can encourage residents to segregate at source… klaro kaayo ang lagda sa Republic Act 9003 nga mandate sa mga LGUs nga maghimo of MRF," Ayuman said.

Sitting on 400-square meter lot owned by the Department of National Defense Central Command, about P500,000 was spent to build the facility through joint efforts of the barangay and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Ayuman said they were able to build the MRF at the DND lot with the help of CentCom Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario.

Former councilor Nida Cabrera, consultant of the city's Environment and Natural Resources Office, said their records does not reflect just yet that the MRF in Apas is already operational. So far, the barangay still reportedly disposes of garbage at the Inayawan landfill.

"I'm not sure if nag-operate naba sila. So far, wala sa amo record kay sige paman sila og labay hangtod karon," she told The FREEMAN.

Based on records, 12 barangays in the city have functional MRFs, including T. Padilla, Kalunasan, Kamagayan, Capitol Site, Cogon, Pardo, Barrio Luz, Talamban, Mabolo, Sto. Niño, Labangon, and Buhisan.

Having a composting facility can reduce 50 kilos of biodegradable garbage to be disposed at the landfill.

Earlier, the city government implemented a garbage collection scheme, which starts from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The city decided to change the collection time so as not to contribute to traffic congestion. In the past, collection was from 4 a.m. to 12 noon, 5 p.m. to 12 midnight, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This time around, with the 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. collection schedule, biodegradable waste will be collected on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday while non-biodegradable waste and residual waste will be collected on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Biodegradable waste or organic waste includes leftover food, paper, and leaves while non-biodegradable waste includes plastics, glass, and metals, among others.

Special waste includes consumer electronics, busted lamps, and cellphones, among others. (FREEMAN)