TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The inter-agency City Ecological Solid Management Board held its 4th quarter board meeting recently to discuss updates on the city’s waste management implementation and the presentation of the newly created board members.
Led by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), the meeting was attended by board representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, the Department of Education city division, Kalinga State University, Department of Social Welfare and Development KALIPI, Department of Public Works and Highways, Kalinga Medical Society, CPDO, Philippine National Police of Tabuk, CDRRMO and DZRK-Radyo Pilipinas.
As per the update presented by CENRO, a total of 1,662 tons of residual waste and 4,258 tons of public market bio-waste were collected from July to November this year.
It was also reported that CENRO distributed a total of 2,188 saplings intended for planting for climate change mitigation, along with the strict enforcement of cellophane and sando bags usage as packaging, as well as their ongoing upcycling of plastic bottles into bricks to be used as alternatives for wet cement.
The representative from Kalinga State University also made suggestions for the city to engage with the provincial government for the utilization of the ‘Plastic Chair Factory’ to make plastic chairs for use in the future by academic institutions.
To help the city government with holistic waste management, the board reminded the public to avoid burning garbage in open locations, as well as having pig pens and selling livestock/poultry in residential areas, since these practices pose health and environmental risks.
The board will reconvene first quarter of next year, and proposals given will be reviewed for further considerations. By Ruth Cupang
