Belgians here to study trash problem

CEBU, Philippines - A delegation from Kortrijk, Belgium, has been in Cebu City since yesterday for a short study on the garbage situation here to see if there is an area where they can come in for assistance.

Kortrijk has been a sister city of Cebu City since 2005 after the cooperation agreement between former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña and S. De Clerk of Kortrijk.

The delegates, headed by Stijn Van Dierdonck, offered a cooperation program on solid waste management through Project Solid Waste Management through Education and Empowerment of Communities.

They are still, however, in the process of identifying roles which is why they will be in Cebu City for the rest of week to observe and determine where the city needs help.

Kortrijk initially offered the composting technology that is successful in their city.

They have initially identified the barangays along the Guadalupe River where to introduce the technology as these barangays were identified as generators of garbage dumped into the river.

The solid waste management system adopted by Kortrijk is that which recycles first the materials that can be recycled then incinerates the organic materials. The segregation starts during the collection.

Johan Bonnier, the general manager of a multi-city Waste Management Facility in Belgium said that through their technology, the city will no longer need a landfill in two to three years.

Apart from waste management intervention the Belgian delegates are also here to explore a strategic cooperation between AZ Groeninge, a hospital in Kortrijk and the Cebu City Medical Center.

Kortrijk earlier expressed willingness to donate equipment and other hospital materials which the city intends to put at the Guba Hospital.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday conferred the mayor’s special award to Kortrijk, Belgium which was supposed to be conferred during the Charter Day last February 24. (FREEMAN)