By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
Burgos, Ilocos Norte—Host communities of the largest wind power farm in this town starting to make use of their garbage wisely with proper management and constant practice.
Through the Energy Development Corporation’s (EDC) corporate social responsibility program, some barangays here, particularly Brgys, Poblacion, Nagsurot and Saoit are actively engaged in the implementation of a 10-year integrated solid waste management plan which turns solid wastes into something beneficial to the community.
In an interview last weekend, EDC’s CSR program head Deborah Melchor said an ecobricks workshop was conducted on February 22, 2019 here through the ECO brick Philippines which the Burgos wind farm has partnered to empower local communities on waste management.
The hands-on training taught villagers how to make bricks out of recycled plastic wastes.
Like in most parts of the country, Ms. Melchor said garbage problem has become a major concern in Burgos town hence, the company has decided to assist local government units (LGUs) in complying with the provisions of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management law.
To date, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been strictly monitoring this. Failure to comply could mean an administrative case against an LGU.
As a beneficiary to the project, Brgy. Poblacion chairperson Joegie Jimenez said they are grateful for having EDC as their main sponsor in carrying out activities on solid waste management.
“It takes a lot of patience, hard work and sacrifice to do it but the price is rewarding,” Mr. Jimenez said, citing some of their waste recycling products exhibited at the barangay hall are being bought and pre-ordered by balikbayans and some visitors.
For now, the Poblacion barangay under Mr. Jimenez’s watch is a model barangay on waste management.
In fact, Mr. Jimenez himself has shared the best practices of the barangay in the Liga Congress held in Baguio City recently. This was attended by 745 barangay officials from Ilocos Norte.
Aside from ecobricks-making, the EDC is also active in massive information and education campaign geared towards environment protection and management.