20 Legazpi City villages win eco-waste awards

LEGAZPI CITY -- Some 20 villages out of the 70 barangays in this city received the annual Solid Waste Management Awards initiated by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

Mayor Noel Rosal distributed the certificates of commendation and cash prizes to 10 winners in the big barangay category and to 10 others in the small barangay category, that have shown proper ways of waste disposal in their respective areas.

The awarding ceremony was held during the Christmas party of the Liga ng mga Barangay at the Legazpi City Convention Center (L3C) on Sunday, Dec. 15.

Rosal cited the role of the eco-waste managers and eco-aides for their effective implementation of the city’s “no segregation no collection policy” as mandated in the city’s Ecological Solid Waste Management Program (ESWMP).

“This policy which is anchored on the city’s solid waste management program is proof of Legazpi‘s identity as a strong modern city that maintains a healthful and environmental-friendly community,” he said.

Rosal asked all the eco-managers and eco-aides to always remind the people in the community that burning of garbage in the backyard is strictly prohibited, as it is one way of reducing toxic emissions such as dioxin and furans that are generated by waste materials and contribute to global warming.

Of the top 10 villages under the big barangay category, PNR-Peñaranda St. received the highest rating of 91.23 percent; followed by Cabangan West, 88.90 percent; Bigaa, 88.00 percent; Gogon,86.01 percent; and Arimbay, 85.94 percent.

Barangay Bogtong landed at No. 6 with a total rating of 84.81 percent followed by Buraguis, 83.61 percent; Ilawod East, 81.82 percent; Bagumbayan, 81.69 percent; and Bonot, 80.27 percent.

On the other hand, the top 10 awardees under the small barangay category were Dap-dap, which received the highest rating of 92.90 percent followed by Sabang, 91.54 percent; Victory Village South, 90.09 percent; Maoyod, 89.77 percent; Binauahan West, 88.98 percent; Cabangan East, 88.37 percent; Tamaoyan, 85.102 percent; Rizal St.-Ilawod, 80.58 percent; Bano, 79.421 percent; and EM’s Barrio East, 79.15 percent.

Rosal said his administration has constructed another concrete cell of the sanitary landfill in Barangay Banquerohan that would serve as the next dumpsite of waste materials.

Legazpi City is the only local government unit in the Bicol region, which has an engineered sanitary landfill, that makes it fully compliant with Republic Act 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. (PNA)