CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Gov. Lilia Pineda appealed again for the support of the Pampanga Junkshop Federation to address solid waste problem in the province through the intensification of their garbage collection.
In a forum the other day, the governor told them the provincial government will coordinate with all local government units and ask them to spend a portion of their solid waste management budget for the purchase of biochemical waste or pure plastic from the junkshops.
Currently, scavengers and operators are buying only recyclable materials leaving all plastic wastes in the households which eventually being thrown anywhere.
“Once this plan is finalized, you can buy and collect plastic materials. The LGU in your respective area will buy this to you per kilogram,” said Pineda.
Pineda in her appeal also recounted the effect of improper waste disposal during the calamity that hit the province this year.
“Rivers, creeks and other waterways overflowed during the typhoon Maring and Habagat and we discovered volume of waste especially plastic that blocked the passage of water. We need you to solve this problem,” Pineda said.
Jayson Sambat, head of the solid waste management division of the provincial environment and natural resources office (PG-ENRO) explained the over-all waste management plans and strategy.
“Capitol will help in the establishment of material recovery facility in every municipality and city and for the provision of a bailing machine. Here, the biochemical waste from the junkshop will be bailed and will be collected by Holcim, a company that uses plastic in manufacturing cement,” he narrated.
Though the plan is still in process, the members of the junkshop federation expressed interest on the idea of collecting biochemical waste.
“This is an additional income for us aside from the fact that we will be able to help in solving garbage problem in the province,” they said.
By Jenna Lumbang
