Mandaue to launch search for model barangays

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government is set to launch a search for model barangays in Waste Management and Eco-preneurship on August 30 when the city celebrates its 42nd Charter Day anniversary.

The search, dubbed as "Sulong Mandaue," is a city-wide search for model barangays for waste management systems by way of enforcing the R. A. 9003 which will then give barangays due recognition, reward and support to the barangays so that they will be encouraged to segregate, compost, and recycle their solid waste.

There will be one winning barangay for each of the five categories as the 27 barangays in the city will be categorized into five categories according to their barangay Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) 2011.

They will be evaluated by a team composed of the DENR-7 EMB chairperson, the head of the committee on environment of the city council, representatives from the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PENRO-Capitol, Cenro, City-DILG, and from a non-government organization.

The team will conduct surprise evaluations twice a year of each of 27 barangays in the city.

Rowena Bandola-Alensonorin, the executive director of Integrated Development of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. said that RAFI will sit in the board as the secretariat and its participation in the "Search" is to consolidate the evaluations made by the team.

Rewards shall be provided to barangay models for each of the categories that have undertaken outstanding and innovative projects, processes and techniques for collection, diversion and disposal of waste.

Rewards for model barangays will be sourced from the city government's solid waste management fund, sponsorships, donations or grants.

Barangay solid waste management models shall be recognized during the city's annual Charter day celebration in August of each year.  (FREEMAN)