Carbon Market soon to manage own garbage

CEBU, Philippines —  Proper solid waste management (SWM) and a material recovery facility (MRF) at the Carbon Market soon are expected to help solve the long-time problem of garbage in Cebu City.

With over 50 tons of waste a day from the biggest public market in Cebu, such a move is highly welcomed.

A multi-sectoral people’s organization comprised of vendors, karumateros, barangays, and other community members of the Carbon district in Cebu City has joined forces for the implementation of proper SWM in the area.

Members of Lambo Carbon started it by visiting the SWM facility in Subangdaku, Mandaue City, to benchmark its operations, implementation measures, and strategy.

Aside from the site visit is a seminar conducted by Subangdaku’s SWM team, headed by its co-chairman Ramonita Manatad.

Subangdaku’s SWM has received awards from the national government including the Gawad Pangulo ng Kapaligiran Award with its unique approach to waste management.

Among the key factors that make the barangay different was its waste segregation which is backed up by solid advocacy and an effective information drive.

Lambo Carbon aims to benchmark these practices for the implementation of such to the Carbon community.

The implementation of SWM program is expected to help the Carbon Public Market lessen the amount of waste transported to landfills.

Leading the participants are Pastor Zosimo Potot, Lambo Carbon president and president of the LAVO Seaside Vendors’ Association, and other officers.

“Ako malaumon nga ma-implementar na gayud kini nga proyekto para sa Lambo Carbon, labi na nga kinahanglan nato matutukan kung giunsa nato paglabay ug pagdumala ang atong mga basura,” Pastor Potot said.

Potot went further saying, this will be a big help for everyone's development.

“Kini makatabang dili lang sa atong mga sunod nga mga henerasyon sa mga mamaligyaay sa mercado ug atong mga anak, kun dili kini mamahimong dakong kalamboan sa atong merkado nga mamahimong dakong tabang sa panginabuhian sa tanan,” Potot said.

“We support community-led initiatives such as this project by Lambo Carbon which ensures the measures being implemented are led by actual vendors and members of the community,” said Lydwena Eco, Cebu2World deputy general manager.

Supporting activities like these is part of the provisions of the Joint Venture Agreement between the Cebu2World Development Inc. (C2W), the company undertaking the modernization of the Carbon district in partnership with the Cebu City government.

“Sustainable waste management is really our commitment to the Cebu City LGU and the Carbon community. We have to attain this hand-in hand with the community. Everyone should be involved in the planning and execution of all the programs,” added Eco.

Aside from that, Cebu2World is set to implement a centralized MRF to consolidate waste management, segregation, and recycling efforts in the district.

With an MRF, waste that had to be disposed of in the landfill is expected to have a significant reduction, thus, also saving some funds for the city government. — GMR (FREEMAN)