JOEL P. MAPILES
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Pampanga Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” G. Pineda ordered all local government units, manufacturing firms, business establishments and other concerned groups and individuals to practice waste segregation and management to prevent the occurrence of various health hazards and geographical threats in the province.
The governor’s order was given in the wake of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Remigio A. Mercado warning that if the indiscriminate dumping of waste materials in the rivers continues, “there will come a time when the towns of Sasmuan, Macabebe and Masantol and other low lying areas in the province would completely go under and disappear”.
Like the governor, Mercado called for all stakeholders to act as one and act soon to prevent this scenario from happening.
Indiscriminate dumping of wastes, explained the governor, also poses threat to the health of our constituents, as she added that people should be properly oriented on the importance of segregating their garbage and convince them that improper handling of waste causes many diseases.
“Segregation should start in the households and continue on to the bigger units of the community and the business establishments.”
She stressed that if we can do this, “malaking bagay na ito sa pagpapatupad ng solid waste management system ng probinsya”.
“Pampanga produces some 440 metric tons of garbage a day which would need some P330M a year for its proper disposal.”
The governor revealed that we need not spend this much if we are able to properly segregate our waste, that upon proper coordination, we could turn over our garbage to companies such as the San Miguel Corporation and those owned by Lucio Tan where it can be recycled into reusable by-products.
She declared that the 2011 budget of each municipality should have an allotment for their own solid waste management program and that “there should be one master plan for the province, going towards one direction”.
Progress, investments and jobs, according to the governor, should go hand in hand with efforts to protect the environment, create clean communities and have a healthy population.
She stressed that while ensuring the putting up of the necessary structures, “one should not overlook the importance of proper waste disposal among local government units and business establishments”.
She further enjoined all local government units to put up their respective material recovery facilities (MRF), a tool which would ensure the effective and efficient management of solid waste in various areas of the province.
