Baguio students seek aid for smart trash bin invention

BAGUIO CITY — Three computer engineering students in Baguio City are seeking financial aid to finally finish developing their local invention that aims to help ease garbage disposal woes in Baguio City.
    The three students — Kyle Russell Lucero, Aryk John Mosquete and Samuel Sta Cruz, soon to be computer engineers from the University of the Cordilleras (UC), presented in June a "Smart Garbage Bin" installed at the Rose Garden in Burnham Park.

    Lucero explained that the garbage bin has built-in sensors that enables the trash bin to open its lid everytime a person will come near to it to throw their garbage. He said that the lid will not close until the person goes away or leave the trash bin. 
    The student said that the bin is also equipped with advanced technology where it can transmit signals to the central command in the smart command center in the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
    According to Lucero, the command will be able to detect if the trash bin is already full and its contents should already be hauled.  He said that this will ensure the timely collection of garbage.
    The three students called on the government of Baguio, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), UC, other agencies and groups who can extend aid to them.   
    They plead logistical help to their humble invention will enable them to add more features to the smart trash bins and produce more to help the growing garbage problem in the city, thus helping the city’s tourism and save the environment.
 
 

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Council okays waste to energy MOA with firm

 
BAGUIO CITY – The City Council recently confirmed the memorandum of agreement entered into by the city government and the Metro Global Renewable Energy Corp. for the city to supply and deliver acceptable solid waste to be used as feedstock to the proposed waste to energy facility that will be located in Lower Palali, Poblacion, Sablan, Benguet.
    Under Resolution No. 768, series of 2023, the council stated that the parties to the
agreement were advised by the body to submit a supplemental MOA incorporating all the
suggested recommendations from the members which will be submitted for review and eventual confirmation.
    The MGREC intends to construct and operate a waste to energy facility capable of processing some 500 tons per day of solid waste utilizing an initial phase of fixtures, equipment and processes that will recover and reclaim certain recyclables, process appropriate remaining waste into refuse derived fuel (RFD), process and convert the RFD into electricity, and dispose of any non-remarkable residue waste in the landfill.
    On July 3, 2023, the city mayor submitted a request for authority to sign, on behalf of the city government, the feedstock supply agreement with the MGREC pertaining to the latter’s planned waste to energy facility that will be put up in Sablan town and the city’s support by hauling acceptable waste as feedstock for renewable energy.
    In his letter dated Oct. 2, 2023, the city mayor submitted for confirmation the MOA with MGREC for the city government to supply and deliver acceptable solid waste to be used as feedstock to this proposed facility that will be situated in Lower Palali, Poblacion, Sablan town.
    During the deliberation, the council members confirmed the MOA dated October 2, 2023
entered into by the city government and the renewable energy corporation, provided that, the said parties will submit to the body a supplemental agreement containing further details on how to operationalize the same for the benefit of the local government among other specific details.
 

 

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Baguio ups advocacy for safe e-waste management

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government here has upped advocacy to promote safe management of electronic waste, or e-waste to prevent toxic pollution and protect health of citizens and the ecosystems.
    At a lively forum held Nov. 28 at Bakakeng Central, Mayor Benjamin Magalong urged folks especially the youth, to take steps to prevent and reduce e-waste, which includes a wide range of discarded electrical and electronic products and their parts that often contain hazardous materials.
     “We need to do something to address one of the fastest growing waste streams on our planet.  We have to show that we really care for our environment,” he told over 50 enthusiastic participants, including newly installed Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, civil society leaders and university students.
    “The first step that we need to do is to change the mindset of our people about e-waste. How do you discard wires, batteries, chargers and other e-waste?  Most of the time, we don’t really care.  As long as there is a trash bin, we just throw it there,” he observed, adding “young people can really help in (changing this mindset) because they believe in change.”
    The forum was co-organized by the City Environment and Parks Management Office, Environmental Management Bureau – Cordillera Administrative Region, Barangay Council of Bakakeng Central and civil society groups Zero Waste Baguio and EcoWaste Coalition to raise awareness on growing environmental threats from e-waste and need for concerted action. 
    In her welcome remarks, Beki Tenefrancia, President of Zero Waste Baguio and  member of the EcoWaste Coalition’s board of trustees, described the e-waste crisis as a “ticking time bomb,” which can have a very detrimental impact on people’s lives and the environment if not addressed. 
    “We hope that the discussion will bring about action plans for the youth, for the barangays, for Baguio City and beyond addressing the e-waste problem,” she said.
    Engineer Marie Pina Rodas, Chief of Clearance and Permitting Division of EMB-CAR, said e-waste, if not managed safely, can pollute the ecosystems and pose serious threats to public health as they often contain hazardous chemicals, or generate toxic emissions and releases when improperly dismantled, recycled or treated.
    Among these hazardous chemicals are heavy metals like cadmium, lead and mercury, flame retardant chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) found in plastic casings, and many other substances of concern.
    To promote the safe management of e-waste produced by Baguio City’s households and other small e-waste generators, the city government is cooperating with the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Integrated Recycling Industries, Zero Waste Baguio and the Eco-Waste Coalition for the first-ever e-waste facility that will soon commence operations at Bakakeng Central. 
    In her presentation, kagawad Alicia Dizon told participants about efforts to set up the said e-waste facility, including visits made to the e-waste facilities in Barangay Bagong Silang, Caloocan City and Barangay Dampalit, Malabon City, and the progress so far, including the construction of the facility and the acquisition of the required Environmental Compliance Certificate to the delight of the crowd. 
The facility will soon be in full operation to serve residents of Baguio City. 
    Engineer Leah Texon, National Project Manager of UNIDO, congratulated Bakakeng Central Captain Dan Daniel and the Barangay Council for their success in establishing the e-waste facility, the first to be set up outside the National Capital Region. 
    “Hopefully you will be able to maximize the use of the facility in compliance with the EMB requirements.”
    Nils Viklund environmentalist from Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), a partner of the EcoWaste Coalition, commended the initiative of the government and people of Baguio City on safe e-waste management. “It’s really inspiring and it positively shows what can be done to address the e-waste challenge,” he said, noting the need to tackle chemicals throughout their lifecycle.
    Engineer Marivic Empizo, assistant head of CEPMO closed the forum by acknowledging the concrete results of consultative meetings on e-waste held last year and by inviting the participants, especially the youth, to come up with more innovative ideas and projects for the betterment of Baguio City and its environment.
    At the end of the forum,  participants posed for a group photo with some holding placards highlighting two of the many benefits of safe e-waste management: preventing environmental pollution and reducing harmful exposures.
    Meanwhile, the Office of the City Mayor has instructed the General Services Office and all  128 Punong Barangays to conduct e-waste collection from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, and to designate e-waste drop-off and pick-up points per barangay.
    The Special Services Division was directed to monitor compliance by all barangays in Baguio City. 
 
 

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Establishment warned for leaking septic tank

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- An accommodation establishment at Leonila Hill was issued a notice of violation for discharging wastewater from its septic tanks onto the road.
    The violation was confirmed during the inspection conducted last Nov. 16 by the joint team from the City Environment and Parks Management Office, the Public Order and Safety Division of the City Mayor's Office, the Sanitation Division of the City Health Services Office and the barangay.
    The CEPMO did a dye test and was able to trace where the effluent was coming from.
    With the issuance of an NOV, several recommendations were made for the establishment owner to remedy the infractions.
    His compliance will be monitored by the team.
    Early this year, Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered a surveillance of households and establishments discharging excrement and septic tank waste materials into the river and other waterways.
    Those caught were issued NOVs and were investigated for violation of environmental laws.
    The Baguio City Police Office under P Col. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. was tasked to investigate, monitor and apprehend violators.
    CEPMO Head Atty. Rhenan Diwas said these acts are in violation of the city’s Environment Code, Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Water Act and Republic Act 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations.  Dumping of grease and used oil in the city's storm drains meanwhile constitutes violation of Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.
 

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DOH-Cordillera drive on against ‘anywhere toilets’

 

‘ANYWHERE TOILETS’ -- Health senior health specialist Jethro Simeon tells  press briefing in Baguio City Oct. 13 some Cordillera folks still use “anywhere toilets.” A DOH survey showed 91.75 percent of 452,303 projected households in the region had safely managed toilets last year, higher than the 53-percent target. -- Liza T. Agoot/ PNA

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region exceeded its target to have 53 percent of households in the region provided with safely managed toilets.
    In a media forum Oct. 13, Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (RESU) senior health officer Jethro Simeon said 91.75 percent of the projected 452,303 households in the region have safely managed toilets based on their 2022 sanitation survey.
    He said safe toilets are defined as not just having a toilet, but also provided with water and with septic tank.
    He said the latest data reflect that the toilets are on a per household basis. 
    DOH allocated P5 million for its zero open defecation target to address what is locally known as hectare or anywhere comfort rooms. 
    Simeon said the amount is for the construction of common septic tanks for adjacent residential areas in far-flung communities. 
    During the same briefing, Medical Officer IV Dr. Jennifer Joyce Pira said the DOH used to have a toilet bowl distribution project.
    “It is among the devolved commodities which local government units must now provide for the people. However, the goal for zero open defecation practice remains a goal of the department that is why we continue to partner with the local government units,” she said. 
    She added that environment and sanitation affect health, thus “it remains to be our program.”
    Earlier, Oliver Dickly, village chief of Barangay Fernando Canao in Lubuagan, Kalinga said there are still residents who have the “hectare CR” but the program to end the practice is a continuing effort. -- PNA

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Officials up drive to rid summer capital of unsavory ‘eyesores’

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY – City and barangay officials have embarked on a campaign to ride this summer capital of “eyesores” like abandoned vehicles, dilapidated tarpaulins, signs among others along roads. 
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong cited barangay officials who continue to actively cooperate in the implementation of the city’s ordinances and directives like ridding the city of eyesores.
    He assured them of the city government’s full support to their programs that would be beneficial to their constituents.
    “Just get in touch with us. Let me just emphasize that the city’s support has nothing to do with politics, whatsoever,” the Mayor said during his meeting with the village officials, Sept. 8, at City Hall.
    He urged them to continue monitoring their respective jurisdictions and to remove or take down eyesores since these are not aesthetically pleasing to look at.

The mayor asked the punong barangays to report any decaying or rusting appliances that were left in front of houses so that these can immediately be picked up by the city’s garbage trucks.

He added that they should advise owners of vehicles not already being used but were just abandoned to rust to sell these to those dealing with scrap metals since these are also eyesores.

Should there be any large rocks or any other ‘safety hazards’ like debris on roads located in their respective areas, the Mayor requested that they remove or dispose of these since road safety is “our priority”.

If they cannot do so, Magalong told the village heads to immediately report the matter to the city “and we will immediately take charge.”

 

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Sunday Session Road patrons told to dispose trash

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- The Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) urged residents and tourists taking part in Sunday Session Road activities to dispose of their wastes properly.
    In a post, the POSD cited the practice of indiscriminately throwing of garbage resulting to littered and unsightly streets.
"Nanawagan po kami sa ating mga residente at mga turista na mamasyal tuwing linggo sa Session Road Sunday Pedestrianization na huwag po natin itapon kung saan-saan ang ating basura," the POSD pleaded.
    "Pangalagaan po natin ang kalinisan at kaayusan ng lunsod. Ilagay po natin sa tamang lugar ang ating mga pinagkainan at mga pinag-inuman na kape at tsaa."
    Litterbugs are culpable for violation of city ordinance 54-1988 as amended by ordinance 59-2020 or the city’s anti-littering ordinance which declares as “unlawful for any person to spit, or expectorate discharge mucus from the nose, urinate, defecate, vomit, throw, dump, leave or scatter pieces of paper, peelings, cigarette or tobacco butts, soil or any kind of refuse or garbage in public places.”
    The ordinance imposes penalties of fines ranging from P1,000 to 5,000.
   

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Baguio mayor, bizmen, NGOs gab on reducing plastic use

BAGUIO CITY -- Entrepreneurs met here last week with city executives led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and non-government/ecological-based organizations, to discuss schemes, incentives or discounts for buyers who use their own shopping bags in business establishments.
    They discussed how to radically reduce or altogether eliminate single-use plastics (SUPs) as packaging materials for goods in groceries or for take-out in restaurants and food outlets.
    There should be a shift to organic or reusable packaging materials, it was agreed.
    Signages should be posted on business areas reminding customers to bring their own containers for goods, and the purpose, which is to decrease plastic use and disposal in land and waterways.
    Plastics, basically made up of fossil-based chemicals or Polyethylence Terepthalate (PET), are meant to be used once and disposed of in a matter of minutes.
    The mayor expressed concern on such predicament as the actions add to wastage and deplete nature of fossil fuels.
    Eliminating SUPs help to mitigate global warming and counter climate change, the greatest reward from not using plastics, Mayor Magalong said.
    In the recent Saleng green expo, a certain number of SUPs/wrappers could be exchanged for a grocery item. This practice was requested to be sustained as to agreement between business administrators and managers.
    Maria Victoria Tenefrancia of the Zero Waste Baguio, Inc. (ZWBI) noted that grocery giants in the city were requested by City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) Assistant Head Engr. Marivic Empizo if they could possibly grant a     One percent (1%) discount for customers who bring their own grocery bags/containers.
    Tax incentives for groceries that encourage customer’s use of personal containers and eliminating SUPs was also proposed during the meeting. Customers who bring their own bags or containers may also be granted accumulated points, which could be redeemed for grocery items, Tenefrancia said.
    Grocery owners could initiate a survey on customers who bring shopping bags and encourage co-customers to do the same, in order to generate data on the increase of environmentally-concerned customers.
    A contest on strong messaging regarding SUPs elimination may also be conducted with prizes from the business group and willing sponsors.
    Refilling stations with dispensers were proposed with customers providing personal containers, though the effect on the products need to be confirmed with manufacturers.
    From the government’s end, a directive is awaited from the Mayor that city hall is a model in eliminating SUPs.
    The grocery giants were also encouraged to air ideas and concerns through direct messaging to concerned offices in the government sector.
    Present during the meeting were representatives from ZBWI, General Services Office (GSO), Health Services Office (HSO), City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) and other concerned offices.
    More engagements and meetings will be initiated with the academe, business establishments, socio-civic organizations, and other entities for the aggressive drive to eliminate single use plastics. – JGF with reports from ZWBI, CEPMO

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JICA offers help to Baguio clean river-water pollution

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is ready to assist this city in addressing river-water pollution through installation of modern septic tanks, an official of the agency said on Wednesday.
    "JICA is ready to help. We need to do something and let us not make the cleaning of wastewater wait," JICA-Philippine Representative Takema Sakamoto said.
    JICA and FujiClean, the Japanese manufacturer of the onsite wastewater treatment system that can prevent the discharge of polluted and coliform-filled water to the creeks and waterways, conducted a workshop on wastewater treatment systems on     Wednesday in cooperation with the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) for a better understanding of the technology.
    Sakamoto said that while the technology was designed for the needs of Japan, it can be adjusted for the Philippine setting.
    "There is room for adjustment based on localized needs," he added.
Baguio was eyed as a possible program implementation site, with the city being the headwater of two major rivers – the Bued and Balili Rivers that traverse the provinces of Benguet and La Union.
    The official urged the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) and the city government to look at the possible clustering of residential houses in poor communities and giving them clustered modern septic tanks, which is cheaper than having individual modern septic treatment systems.
    "JICA cannot assist individual households but we can extend help to clustered beneficiaries," he added.
    The clustered septic tanks, each measuring 2 x 2 x 2.5 meters, costs around P200,000 to P300,000 and can be used by 15 to 20 houses.
    He also opened the idea of charging residents with environment and water fees to fund the onsite treatment facilities in households.
    The FujiClean said its wastewater treatment system is embedded with components that clean and dissolve sludge, producing clean water that can either be buried on the ground or atop the soil.
    Popular fast-food chains in Regions 1, 2 and 3 are currently using the technology in managing food waste, and reduce water pollution, the company said.
    "We are lucky we are not formally charged otherwise we will be paying millions in environmental fees. We cannot forever delay action on this," Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, during the program, said.
    He said he has already sought a laboratory analysis of the water at the two rivers and found them to be more polluted than the Pasig River in Metro Manila.
    In the 1980s, JICA helped the city government construct a sewerage treatment plant with a capacity of 8,600 cubic meters and a 57-kilometer pipeline servicing around 10,000 households and establishments.
    However, with the city's population of 320,000 and an estimated 1.5 million tourists in 2019, the facility is no longer able to cope with the demand for wastewater treatment, also putting at risk of contamination of the city's water resources, Magalong added. -- PNA

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Baguio folks warned vs dumping waste in creeks

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Police warned residents here they would be penalized if they continue to dump waste into creeks even as waterways are now being closely monitored on their upkeep. 
    Baguio City Police Office director Col. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. issued this warning in line with Mayor Benjamin     Magalong’s directive for the police force to intensify its watch over creeks and waterways due to pollution concerns.
Bulwayan said that as a result of the mayor’s directive, police stations inspected the river tributaries within their areas of responsibility and came up with their list of five dirtiest creeks.
    Based on their assessment, the top five dirtiest creeks are: Easter Road at Guisad, Magsaysay Private Road both under Police Station 2; Lower Rock Quarry, station 5; Pacdal creek under station 3 and Camp 8 creek under station 8.
     The mayor made the directive last Feb. 6 after receiving reports that residents especially those who took up residence near these bodies of water directly dump their refuse in the creeks.
     Earlier, the mayor deputized policemen as environment officers to strengthen the enforcement of environmental and sanitation laws in the barangays including the mobilization of clean-up drives.
     “BCPO pledges to support to enforce laws against those violating the environment code and other related ordinances,” Bulwayan said.
    Following the BCPO’s inspection, the barangays who have jurisdiction over the identified dirty creeks conducted clean-up campaigns particularly Magsaysay Private Road led by punong barangay Debbie Banagui, Pacdal by PB Abraham Lagasca and Camp 8 led by PB Lopito Nabulay.
    Bulwayan said the cleanliness program is a regular program of the BCPO in keeping with the “makakalikasan” core value of the Philippine National Police.
     “This activity aims to sustain cleanliness within the city, improve solid waste management and raise awareness of the citizens of Baguio in protecting the environment,” he said.

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Segregating waste for energy

ENVIRONMENT

Jordan G. Habbiling

BAGUIO CITY -- Residents of this summer capital need to embrace the culture of segregating waste as the city government prepares to transition to waste-to-energy (WTE) in managing the enormous amount of garbage produced by households and commercial establishments in the city, according to City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Pena.
    In a forum last Feb. 6, Dela Pena apprised the Baguio City Council on the city government’s plan to put up its own Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL) and a WTE facility. 
    He said the current administration remains resolute in its goal to address problems on solid waste management, adding that WTE is the way to go. But to make this happen, he stressed that households and businesses must first learn the value of waste segregation and practice it. 
    “Our garbage has to be segregated first. You cannot just dump anything into the waste-to-energy facility. We have to improve first our culture of segregation before we can really venture into waste-to-energy,” he stated.
    Waste-to-energy (WTE) pertains to the method of generating energy in the form of electricity or heat from a waste source.     A WTE plant receives non-recyclable trash and converts it to energy.
    Dela Pena revealed that the executive department would consider pursuing its original plan which was to construct solid waste management facilities within the 138-hectare land identified for city land needs located in Sto. Tomas Barangay.
    He said there is no guarantee that the proposal for the construction of a WTE facility in Sablan, Benguet would prosper due to the resistance of people therein.
    He explained the site in Dontogan Barangay as earlier considered by the city government is no longer feasible for the construction of solid waste management facilities since the 10-hectare lot will already be used for the construction of an intermodal bus terminal.
    Dela Pena and members of the Baguio City Council agreed that the most feasible site for the construction of the city’s solid waste management facilities would be somewhere within the 138-hectare land in Sto. Tomas Barangay. 
    However, the city officials recognized that securing a lot within the 138-hectare land proved to be a challenge due to the presence of settlers therein.
    According to Dela Pena, only 70 hectares out of the 138 hectares is left unoccupied and is currently used for agricultural purposes. He said the city must first determine how much of the land can be recovered and used as as a site for the city’s solid waste management.
    Furthermore, he said the construction of a road network for the site in Sto. Tomas Barangaywould cost around 300 million. 
    The city council urged the executive department to act promptly since the number of settlers in the area continues to increase.

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Garbage woes after the Etag festival

HAPPY WEEKEND 

                             Garbage spills and post event clean ups 

By Gina Dizon

SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE – For  the Church of  St Mary the Virgin (CSMV) whose sprawling compound was used for  ball games, shows, and stall spaces for food and dry goods during the 4 day Etag Festival held Feb 2-5,  it was frustrating to see much garbage strewn and left all over the Mission Compound after the  event.
    This, to ask who is more responsible for garbage disposal.  Is it the local government unit who collected garbage collection fee of P100 per stall aside from a mayor’s permit and sanitary fee, or the stall owner who rented the stall space, or the lot owner who collected space rental fee.  
    Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Officer (MENRO) April Castro during the assessment of the four-day Etag Festival said the stall owners are the ones more responsible for their waste rather than the LGU.
    There must be something wrong somewhere.
    The stall space tenant has the responsibility to segregate her garbage and put these in separate sacks for degradable and bio degradable waste. The garbage collector has the responsibility to bring the waste to a garbage site.
    The LGU created a waste management committee during the festival headed by the MENRO with five secondary schools as members and budgeted with P5, 000 each obviously to do waste collection.
    So it was known that school children picked up waste around the Mission Compound and brought these to the waiting dump truck of the LGU at designated hours during the four day event.
    Lack of waste collection however was pronounced after the event with paper cups, plastic bottles, Styrofoam, more plastic strewn all over the rented spaces and its surroundings including human waste wrapped in plastic. 
RA 9003 which the LGU is bound to follow, provides that local government is “primarily responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of RA 9003 within their respective jurisdictions”.
    And that primarily is the LGU’s mandate for the segregation and collection of waste with RA 9003 providing for “ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives and declaring certain acts prohibited.”
    A big quantity of garbage strewn all over the Mission Compound was cleaned up by CSMV after the four day event of the festival.
    One of those tasked by the Church of St Mary the Virgin to do the  cleanup said garbage especially  styrofoam to paper cups, plastic  wrappers were found all over the food court, and at the stall areas and its surroundings at KenGedeng and  Makamkamlis.
    Staff of the municipal Materials Recovery Facility said they loaded one truckload of garbage per day to the MRF site during the event.
    Stall owner Marina said she paid 100 peso garbage collection fee and expected the LGU to collect the garbage.
    The  Municipal  Budget officer  Jennylyn Biang  during the fiesta assessment belittled the P100 garbage collection fee even too small for  one stall.
    And so it was known than stall owners are instructed by the LGU to bring their segregated garbage at a waiting dump truck at scheduled times of the day.
    And for a law which did not see any violator/s to get penalized for quite some time in this town for not segregating their waste or littering anywhere is a lucky day/s for the offender.  
    Towards the end, the law provides, “... the collection of non-recyclable materials and special wastes shall be the responsibility of the municipality”.
    To address the growing garbage woes of this tourist town, the LGU inked an agreement in 2010 with CSMV to provide a lot for the establishment of an MRF.  For the past 10 years however did not satisfactorily see what it is intended to be with the MRF site used as a dumping area for plastic bottles, glass bottles, styrofoam, residual waste, pampers, used paper and tissue, destroyed clothing  and slippers, cans, and even dog poo.
    Recycling equipment bogged down for quite some time causing sacks of sacks of glass bottles to get stacked up in the site to add to the stench when waste burning was done to the complaint of the nearby neighbourhood.
    This led the CSMV to close the MRF site December last year and for the LGU relocate the MRF. An extension was asked by the local government to which the CSMV granted a 60 day extension till end of February this year to clean and clear up the site.
    A recent visit at the MRF site noted the piled sacks of glass bottles had already been crushed and the glass powder brought to a private construction site. PET bottles are regularly collected by a private buyer.  
    A chance conversation with Municipal Councilor Felicito Kibatay said he had to secure the glass crusher stationed at northern Sagada to have the bottles crushed after visiting the MRF site and found a frustrating situation.Thank you Councillor Kibatay for your prompt action.
    A glass crusher at the MRF site was destroyed and for quite some time, bottles had been left un- attended to add to residual waste forcefully stacked to fill up space in a small structure intended for such.
Mayor Felicito Dula said arrangements are being done to address garbage issues of the town including a site to bring garbage.
    Another major issue is the lack of toilet facilities obviously with visitors asking where the CR is with no public CR in sight.  
    There is no public toilet of the LGU for quite some time except for two at the municipal hall and the market and a destroyed toilet bowl at the old municipal hall.
    The CSMV provides for a pay-CR at the Centrum building near the main road and three at the immediate church compound though closed at night.
    It is no wonder when a number of plastic-wrapped human waste were seen near the bushes by those who cleaned after the event. 
    It would be good to review the LGU’s 10 year solid waste management plan and see what happened from there.

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Leonila Hill folks hit for discharging waste- water into streets

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- A total of 12 households along Evangelista St. Leonila Hill here were issued notices of violation because of overflowing or damaged drainage lines in violation of the city's Environment Code and other sanitation laws.
    Residents brought to the attention of the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) the foul smelling water coming from the drainage of one house and draining into the street causing discomfort and nuisance.
    "Upon inspection, we've also discovered that there are other violations being committed by other houses where their drainage ends up onto the road," POSD head enforcer Daryll Longid said.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong called for immediate inspection of the area and issuance of the notices of violation.
    "Let us penalize these irresponsible residents," he said.
    The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) under Lawyer Rhenan Diwas and Engineer Marivic Empizo said the environment management division led by engineer Sofronio Pascua inspected the area and found 12 households with violations.
    Just last week, the mayor issued a warning to residents discharging excrement, septic tank waste materials and wastewater into the river and other waterways.
    The mayor said the Baguio City Police Office under P Col. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. had been tasked to investigate, monitor and apprehend violators.
    The CEPMO said a total of 370 households and establishments had been caught illegally discharging wastewater and other discards like grease and used oil into the city’s waterways in 2022.
    Violators included households and establishments with leaking or overflowing septic tanks.  Others were illegal piggeries directly discharging wastewater to the sewer or canals and establishments that dump grease and used oil into the sewer.
    Diwas said these are all in violation of the city’s Environment Code, Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Water Act and Republic Act 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations.  
    Dumping of grease and used oil in the city's storm drains meanwhile constitutes violation of Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.

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Dumping sewer waste in rivers/Isolation units/ Cruelty to dogs

CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong warned residents discharging excrement and septic tank waste materials into rivers and other waterways saying they are culpable for violation of environmental laws.
    The mayor said the Baguio City Police Office under Col. Francisco Bulwayan Jr. had been tasked to investigate, monitor and apprehend violators.
    The City Environment and Parks Management Office has a total of 370 households and establishments had been caught illegally discharging wastewater and other discards like grease and used oil into the city’s waterways in 2022.
    Assistant City Environment and Parks Management Officer Marivic Empizo said all of them were issued notices of violations and were subjected to follow-through monitoring.
    Violators included households and establishments with leaking or overflowing septic tanks.  Others were illegal piggeries directly discharging wastewater to the sewer or canals and establishments that dump grease and used oil into the sewer.
    CEPMO head lawyer Rhenan Diwas said these are all in violation of the city’s Environment Code, Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Water Act and Republic Act 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations.  Dumping of grease and used oil in the city's storm drains meanwhile constitutes violation of Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.
   ***
With the closure of the Baguio City Community Isolation Unit (BCCIU) at the Sto. Nino Hospital effective Feb. 1, 2023, barangays were tasked to set up their own isolation facilities to cater to constituents who cannot provide their own home isolation.
    Mayor Magalong in memorandum no. 11-2023 dated Jan. 25, 2023 to the barangays reiterated the requirement to put up barangay isolation units to serve the isolation needs of residents with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) who do not have suitable areas for said purpose.
    The mayor said this is in compliance with Dept. of Health Administrative Order No. 2021-0043 entitled “Omnibus Guidelines on the Minimum Public Health Standards for the Sale Reopening of Institutions” specifically VI.C.3.a. which states “Asymptomatic and mild cases shall be admitted and isolated in Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs), community-based facilities or in their homes as long as they meet the criteria for home quarantine or isolation.”
    “Since the hospital beds used (in isolation units) had been distributed to the different agencies and barangays, it is highly directed for the recipients to set up their own isolation facilities before February 2023 to accommodate their constituents who test positive for Covid-19 and who do not have homes conducive for isolation,” the mayor said.
    He asked the barangays to contact the City Health Services Office for any technical assistance needed in setting up their units.  
    Medical Officer IV Dr. Maria Alice Torres who had been in charge of the city-run quarantine and isolation facilities said the cessation of operations of the BCCIU was decided after the facility did not receive new admissions for Covid-19 cases the past two weeks.
   ***
Putting animals in vehicle trunks for travel constitutes violation of the provision of the Animal Welfare Act of 1990.
City Veterinarian Dr. Silardo Bested issued this reminded to a bus company operating in the city after receiving a report last Jan. 27, 2023 on a dog allegedly loaded in the trunk of one of its buses.
    “Please be reminded of the provision of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 8485 (Animal Welfare Act of 1998) as amended by Republic Act 10631, Section 4, Rule 4.1 (Cruelty in Transportation),” Bested noted in his letter to the bus company.
    “Cruelty in transportation shall include overcrowding, putting the animals in the trunk, under the hood, top load, or hanging the same is an unsafe, uncomfortable condition or situation.”
    He advised the company to also comply with the guidelines on pet transport as provided in Memorandum Circular 2020-003 of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).
    As per the memorandum, pets are in allowed in public utility vehicles (PUVs) subject to the following conditions:
    *These animals are put inside carriers/cages and placed at designated animal compartment of the PUV, should there be other passengers inside the PUV.
    *If there are no other passengers, pets may be allowed to be carried by the owner as long as said animals are free from foul odor and that the owner maintains cleanliness and sanitation.
    Further, the possessor or pet owner shall be responsible for the damage that the pet may cause, including the cleaning and sanitation of the PUV, as may be necessary.
    *Safety, convenience and comfort of the passengers shall not in any way be sacrificed.

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Baguio City Camp folks face suits for dumping sewerage, trash in canal

BAGUIO CITY -- Some residents in Purok 6, City Camp Central here may face environmental legal suits for dumping garbage and directly discharging sewer waste into a canal.
    Photos sent by a concerned citizen showed non-biodegradable wastes dumped into the canal “possibly from the residents at the upper part” of the area and the health hazard it poses.
    The City Engineering Office conducted an ocular inspection over the weekend and found evidence of trash throwing or dumping into the canal as well as sewer pipes from residential houses directly discharging into the canal causing a foul stench.
    Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong ordered the Baguio City Police Office to trace the origin of wastes and to identify the households whom he called “environmental saboteurs.”
    In the report of Police Captain Ralph G. Dayag, Police Station 5 located in Legarda, he said the waste materials like plastic bottles and used face masks being thrown at the said canal are believed to be coming from the nearby houses.
    “It was also noticed that the foul odor emanating from the sewer lines connected from the nearby houses is believed to be from the sink and from the comfort rooms,” the report reads.  
    A clean-up drive was conducted by BCPO Legarda Police Station conducted together with City Camp Central barangay officials led by Brgy. Captain Jessie Bandiola on January 28 with members of the 4PS.
    The mayor ordered the City Environment and Parks Management Office to initiate drastic actions against environment saboteurs such as the filing of legal cases for violation of the city’s Environment Code.
    Magalong has been encouraging barangay officials to work closely with their constituents in ensuring cleanliness and orderliness within their areas of jurisdictions. – JMPS

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Cleanup drive held after Bambanti fest

By Leander C. Domingo

ILAGAN CITY, Isabela -- The Environment and Natural Resources Office and  provincial government of Isabela conducted a cleanup drive to collect accumulated wastes during the recently concluded Bambanti Festival.
    Forester Geronimo Cabaccan Jr., ENRO chief, said the activity was very timely since it coincides with the observance of National Zero Waste Month. It also aims to demonstrate a zero-waste workplace for the Provincial Capitol's employees and constituents.
    ENRO officials noted that during the weeklong festival celebration which ended on Jan. 29, 2023, there was a remarkable volume of mixed waste generated due to an influx of visitors coming from different places.
    January is National Zero Waste Month with the theme "Stepping up with Solid Waste Management Through Efficient Extended Producer Responsibility."
    Mandated by Presidential Proclamation 760 of the late President Benigno Aquino 3rd on May 5, 2014, National Zero Waste Month aims to promote environmental awareness and action among Filipinos and also deepen public participation in the development of national and local integrated, comprehensive and ecological waste management programs.
    As an advocacy, zero waste promotes the designing and managing of products and processes to eliminate the volume and toxicity of wastes and materials.
    Officials said there were approximately 76 kilograms of biodegradable waste, 35 kilograms of recyclable waste, 356 kilograms of residual waste and 15 kilograms of special waste collected during the activity.
    Cabaccan said the collected recyclable wastes were stored at the materials recovery facility within the ENRO vicinity for further sorting and segregation.
    "Biodegradable wastes were placed in the compost heap for decomposition to become organic or serve as soil enhancers and conditioners, while collected residual wastes were given to the City of Ilagan garbage collector for proper disposal at the sanitary landfill facility in Santa Catalina village in the city," he said.
    DENR-Environment Management Bureau Director William Cuñado also cited Republic Act (RA) 11898, otherwise known as the "Extended Producer Responsibility Act (EPRA) of 2022, which lapsed into law on July 23, 2022.
    He explained that RA 11898 requires large companies to adopt and implement policies for the proper management of plastic packaging wastes and that companies establish EPRA programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery and diversion.
    "RA 11898 is a practical approach to efficient waste management, focusing on waste reduction, recovery and recycling, and the development of environment-friendly products that advocate the internationally accepted principles on sustainable consumption and production, circular economy, and producers' full responsibility throughout the life cycle of products," Cuñado said.
 

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Baguio sets privatization of waste management

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government is studying the cost-benefit of privatizing the management of solid waste in a bid to reduce the cost of operations in transferring non-biodegradable waste to a private sanitary landfill outside Baguio.
    Based on the waste assessment and characterization study conducted by the City General Services Office, the city government will be able to save P45 million with the proposed privatization on collection and hauling of the garbage from source to the landfill.    

    GSO Department Head Eugene Buyucan said the projected savings included reduced computations on hauling and tipping fees as well as fuel cost if the city disposes its solid waste in a landfill in Urdaneta, Pangasinan instead of the current sanitary landfill in Capas, Tarlac.
    The city government spent more than P186 million last year for the maintenance and other operating expenditures on solid waste management per records from the GSO.
    From 2015 to 2022, the amount of solid waste in Baguio City for disposal to the landfill increased from 402 tons to 581 tons.
    The GSO Solid Waste Management Division has implemented waste diversion efforts to decrease the amount of solid waste being hauled to Capas, Tarlac with the goal of decreasing expenses on garbage transfer.
    Last year, the city produced more than 581 tons of solid waste for disposal but 69 percent were diverted through materials recovery facilities leaving only 179 tons hauled out to Capas, Tarlac.
    However, the cost of solid waste management continues to increase due to the rise in the cost of fuel consumed by the garbage trucks.
    Part of the proposed privatization of solid waste operations is the plan to amend the city’s garbage ordinance to increase the rate of garbage fees per tonnage of waste produced.
    Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong said increasing the amount of garbage fee per volume of waste produced in households and establishments is the only way to discipline the public on reducing their waste production.
The mayor recently ordered the GSO to come up with a concept on the new garbage collection scheme and present this to the city council for approval. – JMPS
 

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‘Spidermen’ clean Mines View slope

BAGUIO CITY -- Barangay officials and park vendors at Mines View here conducted clean-up drive ala Spidermen in ropes to collect accumulated trash strewn below the deck early Monday.
    Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong reminded residents and tourists to keep the city clean particularly tourists’ destinations or else these will be closed to visitors.
    Meanwhile at the central business district, barangay officials and owners of commercial establishments are retold to monitor public spaces to ensure proper disposal of garbage and that trash bins are not overflowing.
    Tourists were told to help keep the city clean by minding their garbage in respect to residents.
    Commercial establishments are warned not to dispose of their used oils into the drainage system to avoid clogging and stench odor in the central business district.
    All barangay officials in Baguio City are likewise reminded to keep their areas of jurisdictions clean and orderly as they were elected to safeguard the environment, the people while promoting economic activities. – JMPS

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370 caught discharging waste into waterways

CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- A total of 370 households and establishments had been caught illegally discharging wastewater and other discards like grease and used oil into the city’s waterways in 2022.
    Assistant City Environment and Parks Management Officer Marivic Empizo said all of them were issued notices of violations and were subjected to follow-through monitoring.
    Violators included households and establishments with leaking or overflowing septic tanks, illegal piggeries directly discharging wastewater to the sewer or canals and establishments that dump grease and used oil into the sewer.
     The CEMPO headed by Atty. Rhenan Diwas had constantly warned against discharging septage into the waterways to prevent pollution.
    Dumping of grease and used oil in the city's storm drains meanwhile constitutes violation of Republic Act 6969 or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990.
    The city has been receiving reports of restaurants and eateries discreetly disposing grease into the city's storm drains prompting Mayor Benjamin Magalong to order an investigation.
    The presence of grease deposits in drainage pipes is one of the determined causes of clogging of the water passageways that lead to flooding of streets as cooking oil deposits mixed with water, soil and waste materials solidify and form a compacted blockage that is difficult to dislodge.
    Establishments should comply with the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources pollution control requirements for hazardous waste disposal.  Said waste is to be collected and treated by the DENR's accredited contractor subject to permits to be issued by DENR Environment Management Bureau pursuant to RA 6969.
    Meanwhile, residents who continue to defy laws prohibiting hog-raising in the city were reminded anew that it is not allowed in highly urbanized cities like Baguio as per the city’s Environment Code, Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act, Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Water Act and Republic Act 9904 or the Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners Associations.
    Sanctions include demolition of pigpens, confiscation of hogs and filing of criminal charges.
    Diwas said the laws prohibit hog raising in the city due to the “perilous impact to river quality of direct discharge of wastewater, especially from the operation of piggeries within river easements.”
    Before the city implemented the total closure of piggeries in 2020, the city’s piggery population was at more than 700.  The number dwindled to more than 200 towards the deadline set by the city in January 2020.
    However, the business again thrived at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
    At present, the CEPMO has been monitoring and issuing closure notices to a number that still insist on operating.
   ***
Still on waste, Baguio will mark Zero Waste Month with activities geared at enhancing people’s awareness of strategies on how to reduce if not avoid wastes to address the city’s problem on garbage management and on a larger scale, the resource depletion and climate crisis.    
    The activities will be spearheaded by the city through the City Solid Waste Management Board (CSWMB) chaired by Mayor Magalong in partnership with the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera (DENR-CAR) and other public and private stakeholders.
    Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, chair of the city council committee on health and sanitation, ecology and environmental protection and vice chair of the CSWMB said a Zero Waste Management Fair will be conducted on Jan. 26-27, 2023 at the Malcolm Square anchored on the theme, “Basura Mo, Bawasan Mo.”
    Pursuant to city council Resolution No. 31 series of 2023, it will be conducted in partnership with the Zero Waste Baguio Inc., Eco Waste Coalition and The Global Alliance for Incineration Alternatives and will feature booths on information-education-communication (IEC) materials and products of recycling and other solutions on solid wastes.
    It will include demonstrations on food waste reduction, composting and other solutions, book swapping, collection of electronic wastes and other household clutter that are still usable for distribution to those who still have need for them, a youth concert with free admission and free services particularly repair of used umbrellas and used shoes.
    Mayor Magalong encouraged residents to witness the fair “as there is much to learn on how each member of the society can help lessen the generation of waste and methane or greenhouse gas to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
    Tabanda said that as part of the month-long celebration, CSWMB will also work out the organization of the junkshop operators and recyclers group into a cooperative to help enhance their livelihood and their involvement in the achievement of the goals of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.  
    Another project will be the institutionalization of the household item collection and barter in the different barangay districts which will not only help families de-clutter and discard the things that they no longer need but also find items that they need from the discards of others instead of buying new ones.  This system is a practical way to reduce household wastage.
    “Waste management is everyone’s concern and community involvement is the key to solve the waste problem,” the mayor said.

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