Bontoc employees collect 2 tons trash from Chico River

By Alpine Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – About one ton or equivalent to two truckloads of garbage were collected by employees of the Bontoc local government during clean-up drive along Chico River on Nov. 22 in observance of the National Climate Consciousness Week.

Among the garbage collected along the river banks and creeks which spans from the Jumbo Bridge to the Chakchakan Bridge were breakables and plastic bottles, cellophanes, and clothing.

With the bulk of waste irresponsibly disposed along the Chico River, Environmental Management Specialist Roger Agcapen appealed to the public to comply with the waste segregation policy of the municipality.

“In our homes, boarding houses, and business establishments, let us continue practicing segregation at source; let us abide by the No to Plastic Bags, Cellophane and Styrofoam Policy; and let us dispose only our garbage at the waste collection areas/posts during the scheduled collection hours and days,” Agcapen said.

He added that the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) had a series of meetings with the barangay officials and Green Police of Bontoc Ili and Poblacion to intensify the campaign on solid waste management.

Among these are the printing and distribution of Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on the guidelines of the solid waste management system of Bontoc and door-to-door IEC Campaign on waste segregation at source especially to boarding houses and business establishments.

In an interview, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey said that Bontoc has gone a long way in finding solutions to the garbage problem which he emphasized should not be put to nothing.

 He bared how the municipal government doubled its efforts in campaign and implementation of proper waste management programs since 2013.

These include Oplan Pera Sa Basura Program being participated in by all elementary and high schools; formation of the Bontoc Green Police; establishment of Eco-parks; Senior Citizens Eco-brick and Eco-brick Making Project; No Plastic No Styrofoam Policy; and development of the Am-anchu residual waste processing facility.

Odsey added that even with the meager and limited budget and resources of municipal government, it strived and worked out for the procurement and development of a Solid Waste Management (SWM) facility at Am-ancho, Bontoc Ili.

It is also where the Temporary Residual Containment Area (TRCA), composting area and bottle/plastic shredding areas are located.

He said for this year there were 65 “Green Police” assigned in their respective barangays to inform the public on how to properly segregate their waste, and to ensure that garbage are properly segregated before disposal at the waste collection areas. Each Green Police receives a monthly honorarium.

Of the total, Bontoc Ili has 17, Poblacion -15, Caluttit -11, Samoki- 10, and Public Market – five.