Province produces 1.2M kilos of solid waste a day

The Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) has estimated that the province generates a total of 1.2 million kilograms of solid wastes a day in 2017.

The office conducted an actual Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) and resulted with a massive waste which includes 44 percent of biodegradables, 32 percent residual wastes, and 26 percent for special wastes in the entire province.

In a forum, PENRO Chief Jayson Lozano said that their office must still continue the campaign for the improvement and protection of the environment.

He is encouraging for a more proper implementation of waste segregation.

“With the growing population, nakita nato ang kadaghanon sa basura,” he said.

Of the 51 local government units, Mandaue City has the most number of wastes produced with 253,857 kg per day, where 111,697.43 are biodegradables, 58,387.29 recyclables, 81,234.50 residual wastes, and 2,538.58 for special wastes.

Ronda, on the other hand, is the least producer of waste with just 2,463.56 kg per day. Of that, 1,083.97 kilos are biodegradables; 566.62 kilos for recyclables; 788.34 for residual wastes; 669.65 are special wastes.

Among the seven districts in the province, the sixth district where Mandaue City belongs, produces 349, 679.54 kg per day, followed by first district with 227, 803.27 kg, and then the fifth district with 180,876.69 kg per day.

Originally, seven LGUs have been approved for their implementation of local solid waste management. These include the municipalities of San Francisco, Ginatilan, San Remigio, Cordova, Consolacion, Madridejos, and Sogod.

The program is in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 that mandates local government units to protect, preserve and conserve ecosystem by adopting systematic, integrated and ecological solid waste management programs.

Meanwhile, the municipalities of Alegria, Ronda, Carmen, Boljoon, Tudela, Borbon, Pinamungajan, and Tabuelan have been partially approved on the implementation of the program.

Meanwhile, PENRO is also coordinating with the Provincial Tourism office to recommend strategies and solutions on proper waste management in the province.

“Gitan-aw namo nga kung naa’y turista, kalabanan naa gyuy basura, which is harmful na siya sa atong environment,” Lozano said.

“Dili man kay kami lang ang in-charge, but on the environment side ang PENRO is looking on that. At the same time, makiglambigit ta sa lahi-lahing ahensya kay dako man ni siya nga industry, nga dako pud og damage kung dili nato ma-manage,” Lozano added.

“Wala na ra ba’y lain nga Cebu,” he said.