“Magayunon na initiative ini kan province. With the series of write-shop, nahiling mi talaga sa buong level kan probinsya kun ano na an sitwasyon, asin nahiling ta man kun ano an magiging role kan province sa pagtabang sa LGUs. Kasi province naman an ma-formulate ning PSWMB after kaini and made-determine ninda an common problems between the LGUs and how they will offer a common solution to these problems. So nahiling mi na kan nag-step in an province sa solid waste issues kan LGUs, makakatabang palan ini sa pag-harmonize kan issues and problems kan bawat saro,” said Carlo Lorenzana, Senior EMS of DENR-EMB RO V.
Under the Republic Act (RA) No. 9003 or known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” the local government units (LGUs) are mandated to develop a ten-year Municipal Solid Waste Management Plan (MSWMP) to effectively and efficiently reduce waste in their respective municipalities. These MSWMPs are then submitted and presented to the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) subject for approval to carry on the implementation. To date, there are eleven municipalities with approved ten-year MSWMPS out of the 35 municipalities in the province of Camarines Sur.
With the goal to have all the remaining 24 municipalities’ ten-year MSWMPs finalized and submitted for deliberation, and to better assist the LGUs in planning and crafting their ten-year MSWMPs, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur through the Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO), in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau Region 5 (DENR-EMB 5), conducted the four batches of Write-shop Activity for the Finalization of the Ten-year MSWMP on September 20 to October 13, 2022 at the Villa Del Rey Function Hall, Capitol Complex, Pili. The participants of the write-shop activity were personnel of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENROs) from various municipalities in the province.
“Garbage and waste has been a long time issue to our community. Napapanahon naman pati na tawanan nin focus or time yung mga basura kasi yung mga tao ngunyan, nangaabuso na sa environment. Pero maswerte pa din kita sa probinsya ta dai pang gayo naaabuso an kapaligiran sa pagkalat kan basura asin mas maswerte kita ta dai pa kita nagkakaigwa nin major na problema pero yaon na kita sa solution”, shared the 38-year-old MENRO-Lupi, Stedheim Abejuro.
He added, “On behalf of the LGU Lupi, dakulaon na pasasalamat mi sa DENR technical persons ta sa oras kan kadipisilan, igwa palan talagang mga partner na nakaready magtabang and “open arms” sa program na arog kaini, kaipuhan ta talagang magtarabangan para mas lalo tang mai-push ining endeavor for the betterment of the province, especially for the next generation. Gusto ko man i-congratulate an Provincial Government especially sa EDMERO ta nag-espwerso asin naggibo sinda nin paagi ulit tanganing matutukan mi ining 10-year SWMP. Talagang ‘pag may napuunan sinda, tinatapos ninda na sarong senyales na paduman talaga kita sa pagbabago, asin sabay-sabay kitang maangat. Bako man lang pati kita [an] makikinabang kundi an buong probinsya. Kaya sana, magdire-diretso pa an mga masurunod na makapot ka ining SWMP,” he delightfully added. Mr. Abejuro also elaborated that the activity has benefitted their office in saving time as well the free technical expertise that was provided to them by the DENR-EMB 5.
Another participant is the 59-year-old Environmental Planner and designated MENRO from LGU-Del Gallego, Paz Caguimbal. For Ms. Caguimbal, the said activity is significant for the LGUs to properly formulate their MSWMPs with the DENR-EMB’s technical assistance. With this, she found the write-shop activity a successful initiative.
She gratefully said, “We are really thankful that the Provincial Government of CamSur through the EDMERO have this kind of activity nang sa gayon ay kaming mga MENRO at MENRO-designates ay magabayan sa pag-formulate ng MSWMP at maisakatuparan na natin itong batas na [R.A.] 9003. Tsaka hindi din noon masyadong nabibigyang pansin ang issue na ito, pero the Provincial Government, together with the DENR EMB, ay talagang isinusulong at nabibigyan na ng priority itong ating SWMPs”.
Apart from the goal of fast-tracking the unapproved 10-year MSWMPs, the write-shop activity also served as an avenue for the participants to have a focused planning along with being equipped with the technicalities through the assistance of DENR personnel. As the highlight of the three-day activity, the participants presented their finalized output of their 10-year MSWMP to the DENR-EMB 5 through a mock deliberation for assessment and evaluation. After the deliberation, LGUs from Lupi, Del Gallego, Pamplona, [batch 3], and [batch 4], were approved by the DENR-EMB5 and fast-forwarded for endorsement to the NSWMC for approval.
The first batch of participants in the said activity was personnel of the MENROs from the municipalities of Cabusao, Del Gallego, Lupi, Ragay, and Sipocot. Following the first batch are MENROs from Pamplona, Milaor, Pasacao, and San Fernando. Third batch are MENROs from Bato, Bula, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Ocampo, and Pili. Concluded the activity was the last batch comprising of MENROs from Caramoan, Gainza, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Siruma, Tinambac, and Tinambac.
To ensure the protection of the constituents’ health and safety through the improvement of air and water quality, as well as the environment through reducing waste and garbage, a Provincial Solid Waste Management Plan is to be developed in accordance with the LGUs’ submitted MSWMPs that are aligned with the priorities and provisions of the government agencies and the Provincial Government. Thus, the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, under the leadership of Governor Luigi Villafuerte, supports and takes necessary actions to protect the public health and environment throughout the province.
