The City Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Agriculture – bureau of Soils and Water Management represented by its officer-in-charge Angel C. Enriquez and the Department of Agriculture Regional field Office – Cordillera Administrative Region represented by regional director Cameron P. Odsey for the establishment of a composting facility for biodegradable waste facility in the city.
Earlier, the DA-BSWM, the DA-CAR and the local government agreed to cooperate, collaborate and jointly implement the establishment of a composting facility for biodegradable waste in the city.
The DA-BSWM, a staff bureau of the agriculture department, in support of Republic Act (RA) 10068 otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 will implement the establishment of composting facility for biodegradable waste under the National Organic Agriculture Program and that it also advocates the utilization of organic fertilizers as one of the methods to minimize ground water pollution, restore soil fertility, reduce the vulnerability of marginal farmers on the high cost of chemical fertilizers and promote the gradual adoption of organic agriculture nationwide.
On the other hand, the DA-CAR, which is the agriculture department’s implementing agency in the region, is in charge of agriculture programs and has the technical and administrative capability to handle the implementation, monitoring and regional coordination for the establishment of composting facility for biodegradable waste.
Under the approved agreement, the BSWM shall coordinate with DA-CAR and the local government all activities on the establishment of the composting facility; facilitate the procurement and delivery of the facility to the city; lead in awarding the facility to the city; provide the implementing guidelines for the establishment of the facility; provide technical support and assistance in the put up of the facility; in coordination with the DA-CAR, monitor and document the status of the projects as well as the production data and sustainability of the facility; in coordination with the DA-CAR, evaluate the implementation and performance of the facility and submit accomplishment to the central office.
The DA-CAR shall also assist the BSWM in the awarding and distribution of the facility within the region; assist the BSWM in ensuring that the facility is established pursuant to the implementing guidelines of the project; assist the BWM in monitoring the status of the project as well as the production data and overall sustainability of the facility; assist the BWSM in the preparation of technical reports and documentation of the status of the facility and assist the BSWM in the evaluation of the facility’s performance.
On the other hand, the local government shall receive the facility from BSWM and DA-CAR and establish and operate it pursuant to the project’s protocol; provide a place to house the facility as their counterpart for the project; ensure security and proper care and maintenance of all components of the facility in case of loss or theft of any part of the facility, the city is responsible for the replacement; provide the manpower necessary for the operation and management of the facility; comply and abide by the implementing guidelines for the establishment of the facility; record monthly accomplishment reports on the progress of operation, production and utilization data of the facility; submit to BSWM and DA-CAR for inspection, evaluation and monitoring of the status of the project and the production data and overall sustainability of the facility and submit quarterly recorded data to BSWM through the DA-Car.
By Dexter A. See