Barangay Pinagkaisahan is part of the Project Micropolis under the leadership of Assistant Secretary Serafin Benaldo, DILG-NCR. Project Micropolis’ objective is to create examples of good governance in various fields for the other local government units to emulate. The pilot project is partly funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) but the main financial and work resources are provided by the barangay.
The eco center is the first of its kind in Quezon City which is being developed in a typical Metro Manila barangay, that is, one with dense population, scarce space, low to middle income residents and limited funds.
It manages solid waste by collecting segregated solid waste, recycling, shredding of blo-waste and composting. All these activities including the use of compost as fertilizer, were demonstrated in the presence of Mayor Belmonte, who in awe commented if it was really possible to achieve such good results in a short time with limited resources.
Albert Magalang, executive director of the Office of the Secretariat of the National Solid Waste Management Commission, said the Eco Center of Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is in response to requirement of the Ecological Solid Waste Management act of 2000 that every barangay or cluster Barrage shall establish an MRF which includes a solid waste transfer station or sorting station, a drop-off center, a composting facility and a recycling facility.
MRF is one of the most important components of the Ecological waste management that is believed to be the most doable, environmentally friendly and environmentally friendly and economically beneficial solid waste management option.
The eco center proves that even with relatively limited resources, it is possible to achieve a lot in managing solid wastes as long as there are people and leaders who are committed to the cause of healthy environment.