Naga adjudged best LGU in the Visayas

CEBU, Philippines - A Makati City-based business group has given recognition to the City of Naga for its proper disposal of garbage.

The Federation of Philippine Industries Inc. (FPI), a group of 21 industry associations and seventy corporate members, has declared the city as the most outstanding Local Government Unit in the field of management of waste.

Mayor Valdemar Chiong described the recognition as a "great honor" especially that it is the first LGU in the Visayas, alongside Las Piñas City, to receive such an award under the category of good waste management practices.

In behalf of Chiong, Engr. Joveno Garcia, city planning and development officer, accepted the plaque of recognition during a ceremony held at Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati City last November 24.

Among the judges was former Department of Environment and Natural Resources secretary now climate change consultant of President Aquino's administration Elisea Gozum.

Based on the criteria, Naga won because of its proper disposal of waste and maximization of its recyclable capability without harming the environment.

Naga, last year, tied up with FDRCon Company Inc., a private firm which now manages its waste.

This "ecopark," the material recovery facility, was set to ensure a healthy and environmentally-friendly atmosphere in this industrialized southern city as envisioned by Chiong.

And to fully attain a zero-waste environment, FDRCon has implemented a modern method of solid waste disposal that converts waste into energy or W2E.

With its W2E scheme, the Pangdan plant is now supplying at least 10 metric tons daily of alternative fuel, known as refuse-derived fuel (RDF) to ApoCemex, allowing this giant cement plant in barangay Tinaan to use less coal in its operations. (FREEMAN)