DENR reiterates waste segregation

CEBU, Philippines - More than 30 private organizations and companies have signed a memorandum of agreement under an adopt-a-river program for certain rivers, creeks and other water bodies and waterways in Central Visayas.

It was an offshoot of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7 efforts to revive major creeks and rivers through its “Adopt-an-Estero” program by partnering with the private sector.

DENR 7 Regional Executive Director Dr. Isabelo Montejo, though, said that a lot needs to be done the public must always follow the basic principles of good solid waste management, which is to reuse, reduce and recycle, and segregate waste to biodegradable and non-biodegradable.

He appealed for the people to contribute in reducing flooding by not throwing or dumping wastes along streets and in waterways.

His call came days after several parts of Metro Manila got inundated in flood which, aside from heavy rains, was also due to garbage clogging drainage systems.

Montejo said communities should be aware of the evils of indiscriminately throwing garbage.

“We should bear in mind that each of us shares a certain degree of the problem of flooding, as garbage eventually ends up in our streets and waterways,” he said.

He added that by segregating waste at source, people help lessen not only the volume of garbage that reach our landfills but also that of uncollected trash that contribute to flooding.

Stagnant waters due to clogged waterways also become breeding grounds of mosquitoes that cause dengue, which kills hundreds of Central Visayas residents each year.

Montejo lamented that a lot of people still mix all types of waste, leaving the segregation process to the garbage collectors.

Oftentimes, uncollected trash bags filled with mixed waste are also left out on the streets, their contents scattered by scavengers, stray animals, and the wind.

That is why Montejo is asking all local government units to come up with a “no segregation, no collection” ordinance.

He said that the life span of landfills would be extended if there is effective segregation at source, as residual waste, or those that cannot be recycled or reused, are supposedly the only ones deposited in landfills.

He also called on local government leaders, particularly barangay officials, to regularly conduct cleanup drives within their respective communities, as required under Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.  (FREEMAN)