TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Tabuk has reminded the residents of the city to manage and segregate their waste before their collection schedule.
According to CENRO assistant department head George Andres Padalla, the residents have to faithfully comply with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9003, otherwise known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
According to Padalla, waste management shortens collection times since the CENRO collectors are unable to separate all of the waste due to its sheer volume. Adding to this, four garbage trucks are undergoing maintenance which leads to slower garbage collection.
The CENRO reported that on a daily average, the city collects 17 tons of non-biodegradable waste on regular days.
The barangays are also required to maintain their material recovery facilities where locals can bring their waste, such as plastic, bottles, and other non-biodegradable materials that can be sold, in order to assist in the reduction of waste generation.
Additionally, barangays are encouraged to set up and oversee composting facilities within their own area of jurisdiction.
Furthermore, it is recommended that those who live in open-space rural barangays create a composting place in their garden for their waste.
Likewise, the barangay officials are reminded to forbid the careless disposal of rubbish in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water and to urge their people to safeguard their water sources.
The fact that Tabukenos manage their wastes properly was contributory to the city’s designation as an ASEAN Clean Tourist City. By Ian Jefrey Addatu
