Cebu Capitol energized for waste management

"We in Cebu Capitol should take the lead and be a model ourselves of effective waste management," Governor Gwen Garcia told the Cebu Province Solid Waste Management Technical Working Group (TWG) last June, when she received the final copy of the Cebu Province Solid Waste Management Framework and Plan.

Yesterday, August 3, Governor Gwen herself capped a day-long waste management action planning session attended by department heads and representatives from the seven main buildings of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

The workshop was organized by PENRO-Cebu led by Mr. Glen Balicuatro and supported by his colleagues and staff, namely Engr. Anneli Alcoseba, Engr. Hector Jamora, Florentino Calinawan Jr., Arlyn Vailoces, Nerces Bispo, Baby Manuel, Josephine Lane Tabunag, Ma. Lourdes Boone, and Nenita Jaganas and in partnership with the TWG members composed of civil society members (specifically SOW Center Inc, RAFI, and CUSW) and government agency representatives.

Engr. Aniceta Dinoy, "the mother of waste segregation," and Mr. Leo Pelletero, both from the EMB-DENR 7 talked about the highlights of RA 9003 and the importance of waste management. CUSW head Architect Socorro "Bajing" Atega and I, representing SOW Center Inc. and UPV Cebu joined hands and facilitated the session on existing waste patterns at the Capitol and suggestions for alternative waste management. This portion drew much laughter and enthusiastic participation as the Capitol personnel and officials reviewed together what waste they threw, where, how, and the problems and issues related to the existing waste management system.

Putting into practice what they learned during the morning session, the participants gamely cooperated by segregating the waste generated from their lunch packs. It was wonderful to see the participants taking time to sort out their waste and properly dispose of their segregated waste as follows: Styrofoam packs, tetra pack wrappers, paper napkins, candy wrappers, and toothpicks, plastic spoons and forks. Many of them commented as they did the waste segregation that the waste volume would really be reduced and more waste reused and recycled if only all started to segregate their waste, at the office, at home, everywhere.

The planning session in the afternoon, facilitated by Ruth Rowena "Wen" Alensonorin of RAFI, saw everyone energized and geared up to meet the challenge of waste management through clear action plans for their respective offices and buildings. A total of about 13 suggested activities were drawn up, together with strategies, timeline, persons responsible and identification of resources needed.

Board Member Vic Maambong, the very active Chairperson of the Provincial Committee on Environment, graced the session and hurled the challenge to all participants to make their waste management campaign work for the welfare of the Capitol stakeholders through entrepreneurial endeavors where biodegradables will be converted into compost and recyclables to be traded, the profits of such waste management schemes to be shared among and distributed to all Capitol employees.

The historic day ended with Governor Gwen speaking before all the Capitol employees and officials, enjoining all to be "one in form, substance and spirit… and forge on and soar together to greater heights, in progress and in development," through an effective waste management system in Capitol.

Effective waste management starts from " a change of hearts, from sincere commitment to convert an age-old problem like trash into valuable treasures" for the good of the Capitol public servants and workers, for the good of the whole province of a united and number 1 Cebu." Congratulations to Gov. Gwen and all the Capitol officials and personnel for this very significant step towards a truly effective waste management system in Cebu!

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