July 10, 2023 – In a significant step towards sustainable waste management practices, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez and Dr. Marlon Era, President of the Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to conduct a Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) in the city on July 10 at the City Mayor’s Office.
Signing ceremony was witnessed by notable figures in the field, including Mary Jane Ortega, former Mayor of San Fernando City, La Union, Lilia Casanova, an International and Local Environment Consultant, Cathay Orbien, a Project Management Support Logistics specialist, City Administrator Atty. Pacifico Maghari III, and Ma Fe Tresfuentes, the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Public Services.
The WACS initiative aims to provide baseline information necessary for the development of a comprehensive and sustainable 10-year solid waste management plan for Bacolod City.
By utilizing this valuable planning tool, the city’s authorities will be able to identify and implement effective waste management interventions based on reliable and accurate data. The study will encompass all waste sources in the city, including residential, commercial, industrial, governmental, and others, tracing their journey from generation to disposal.
With the WACS program, Bacolod City seeks to determine the volume of waste generated at its source, assess the potential for waste recovery, and gain insights into the actual volume of waste reaching the disposal sites.
This comprehensive understanding of the waste stream will enable the city to implement targeted and efficient waste management strategies, including waste reduction, recycling, and proper disposal, in line with sustainable development goals.
Bacolod City Council, recognizing the significance of the WACS initiative, passed a resolution during its 49th regular session, authorizing Mayor Alfredo Abelardo B. Benitez to sign the proposed MOA with SWAPP. The agreement includes a grant of PHP 960,000.00 to fund the Waste Analysis and Characterization Study in Bacolod City.
Study is expected to yield valuable insights into Bacolod City’s waste management landscape as it is armed with accurate data, the city can take proactive measures to reduce waste generation, increase recycling rates, and establish efficient waste treatment and disposal systems.
Furthermore, this collaborative effort between the local government and SWAPP marks a significant milestone towards a cleaner and greener Bacolod City.
(Source: Bacolod City Public Information Office)
