Bontoc, Mountain Province – Sixty-five members of the Green Police recently received their honorarium of P4,500 each covering the months of April-June 2023 from the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENRO) at the Municipal Capitol Auditorium.
An orientation was also conducted to update them on their roles and obligations as government partners in resolving the garbage problem in the capital town.
According to Municipal Government Assistant Department Head Roger Agcapen of MENRO, the Green Police were not chosen or hired by the municipal government but are volunteers who give their time and effort without expecting monetary compensation or reward to help in the solid waste management of Bontoc. They are assigned to their respective Barangays in Poblacion, Bontoc Ili, Samoki, and Caluttit.
Aside from their honorarium, Caluttit Green Police received a financial cash prize of P7,000 for being the Best Green Police. Agcapen stated that no contest was organized, but their office took the initiative to recognize Barangay Caluttit for being the cleanest and most appropriately segregated during MENRO’s routine inspection.
Sangguniang Bayan member Viola Okko, who donated P5,000 for the award, extended her appreciation to all the Green Police for their effort in helping the government manage and dispose of the waste of the town. She also thanked them for their noble actions. Afew Construction contributed P2,000 for the cash prize.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., in his message, recognized the industry, patience, and dedication of the Green Police as they wake up in the wee hours of the morning and proceed to the waste collection area as early as 5:00 AM to make sure that bags of garbage brought there by residents are properly segregated. The mayor takes pride that Bontoc is the first municipality in the Philippines to have a Green Police.
Also, dustpans made from cans of cooking oils, stick brooms, and cleaning gloves, donated by Bayle Restaurant through the mayor’s initiative, were distributed to the Green Police. By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay & Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan