Bulacan town implements measures to save Mother Earth
The town of Plaridel in Bulacan, through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), is promoting the active participation of its residents in protecting the environment.
The municipal government said it has mobilized the barangay chiefs and village watchmen in the town’s 19 barangays to maintain environmental cleanliness.
Manny C. dela Cruz, secretary of Barangay Sipat, Plaridel, told Manila Bulletin that their village is conducting a weekly cleanup drive led by Barangay Chairman Oscar D. Gabriel Jr., along with Barangay Councilor Arsenio A. Vinta, who is also the chairman of the Barangay Environment Committee, and other volunteers.
MENRO chief Donato Valerio Jr. emphasized the importance of the public’s compliance to the waste segregation scheme in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Act, where biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes must already be sorted in households.
The local government previously ordered the construction of a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in every village.
In the MRF, the segregated wastes from households will be deposited, while the wastes that should be recycled will be sorted. Wastes that decompose will be taken to the processing center to make fertilizer.
To promote recycling, Plaridel Mayor Jocell Vistan said the town held eco lantern-making contests with the theme "Sa Paskong Biyaya ay Bida si Inang Kalikasan" and "Paaralan: Kabalikat ng Pamahalaan sa Pangangalaga kay Inang Kalikasan" during the holidays in 2021 and 2022, respectively. All materials used for the eco lanterns and Christmas tree-making were recyclable and residual materials.
Vistan said the program aims to inform people of the many things that can be made from reusable garbage.
She also said the program showcased the united support of each barangay in helping the government save Mother Earth.
She also urged her constituents to always use eco bags while buying in marketplaces to minimize the use of plastic cases. The eco bags are made of recyclable plastic waste, used paper, bamboo, and flour-based adhesive.