Capitol opens material recovery facility

1 of 3

The provincial government of Iloilo now has an operational Material Recovery Facility (MRF) which stores recyclable wastes generated within Barangay Kapitolyo.

The Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) led the inauguration of the facility located at the back exit gate of the Capitol on November 7, 2022.

PGENRO chief Atty. Cesar Emmanuelle P. Buyco Jr. and Environmental Management Bureau VI Regional Director Atty. Ramar Niel V. Pascua led the ribbon-cutting.

Buyco. said the wastes generated were properly disposed to accredited junkshops as part of the Capitol’s 4Bs (Basura-Baylo-Baligya-iBangko) Program, a waste diversion strategy in compliance with the provision of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and Barangay Kapitolyo Ecological Solid Waste Management Policies.

Part of the inauguration was the recognition of the Top 10 Capitol offices which participated in the program and earned the highest income from diverted wastes.

From October 2021 to October 2022, the Capitol was able to generate 5,062.25 kg of diverted wastes sold at a total of P23,499.98.

In his speech, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the establishment of an MRF is among the programs of the provincial government in implementing proper solid waste management disposal and maintaining a clean work environment not only for its clients but also for its employees.

“We cannot have moral ascendancy if we cannot even keep our surroundings clean,” he said.

The governor added that it is also part of his drive to institutionalize cleanliness, order, and functionality in the entire Capitol building.

1ST PROVINCIAL ENVIRONMENT AWARENESS MONTH

The MRF inauguration is among the activities for the 1st Provincial Environment Awareness Month Celebration and Climate Change Consciousness Week this November.

The month-long activities kicked off on November 5 with the Bike-Pick-Plant Campaign for the Environment Year 2 wherein the provincial government, in collaboration with the municipality of Dumangas and partner agencies, planted 200 mangroves and conducted a coastal cleanup at Sitio Lucaran, Barangay Ermita.

On November 7, the province also launched its e-waste disposal campaign wherein Capitol employees as well as the public are encouraged to deposit their obsolete, unusable or surplus electronic devices at the e-waste corner at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby.

On November 10 to 11, there will be a launching of the 4Ks (Kahublagan para sa Kabukiran, Kapatagan and Kadagatan) sa Isla project. 4Ks sa Isla is a ridge-to-reef approach which aims to provide a holistic intervention for environmental protection, conservation and development. It targets environmental degradation in uplands to minimize its impact in coastal areas.

It will be a two-day campaign at Brgy. Tagubanhan, Ajuy, an island village, wherein a series of activities will be conducted such as information, education and communication (IEC) campaign, coastal clean-up, tree growing, and environmental awareness advocacy.

A Solid Waste Management Congress will be conducted on November 15. It will serve as a venue to share and learn the best solid waste management practices of barangays.

The National Climate Change Consciousness Week will be held on November 19 to 25. There will be a film-showing of the documentary “Delikado” directed by Karl Malakunas which portrayed the dire consequences of illegal logging, fishing and mining on the tourist spots and natural resources of Palawan. There will also be a week-long exhibit at Robinsons Mall Pavia to spread awareness and introduce doable actions to combat climate change.

The 6th Provincial SWM Summit and Expo is scheduled on November 22 to 23 at Robinsons Mall Pavia. It will showcase the SWM technologies that could address the land, air and water (LAW) pollution.

The highlight of the celebration is the awarding of outstanding local government units for their efforts in achieving a clean, green, and healthy Iloilo Province. (Capitol PIO)