Tacloban LGU beefs up solid waste mgt program

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines —  At least 52 pedicabs and as many plastic drums were distributed by Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez to the barangays on Thursday, as part of its effort to enhance the city government’s solid waste management initiative.

Beneficiary-barangays will use the pedicabs and plastic drums on the operation and maintenance of their materials recovery facilities (MRFs) which  were set up with a P15,000 financial assistance from the city government.

During the turn-over ceremony, Romualdez encouraged barangay officials to continue the waste segregation initiatives as this will significantly reduce the waste generated in the city. “If all barangays in Tacloban will do waste segregation, waste generated will be reduced to 50 tons a day,” said the mayor.

"Segregation will lengthen the 'lifespan' of the city's new SLF, which is set to commence operation on August 16," added the mayor.

The multi-million 5-hectare SLF at Barangay San Roque primarily features a solid waste management facility, while the rest of the area will be developed later to include a hospital waste facility-infectious materials and Septage facilities.

Meanwhile, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) noted a 25 percent reduction in waste generated in the city after the City Government intensified its Solid Waste Management Program.  From an average 174 tons of waste generated daily in the city, trash collected starting January this year now averages 105 tons daily.