Barely two months after the assumption to office of the newly-elected barangay officials, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging them to get down to the serious business of taking care of the environment by initiating measures on proper solid waste management especially now that it is the rainy season.
“Be advocates for the environment. Protection of the environment and proper solid waste management practices should start in our barangays in order to prevent clogging of drainage systems which may lead to flooding,” says DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año.
In Memorandum Circular 2018-112, Año calls on barangay newly-elected officials (BNEOs) to organize or reorganize their respective Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee (BESWMC) that shall take the lead in formulating a community solid waste management program consistent with the municipality/city.
“Ilang beses na po tayong nilulunod sa baha at kadalasang dahilan ay walang matinong daluyan ng tubig kasi nababarahan ng ating mga basura. We should have prevented this through proper solid waste management, it’s not too late,” he adds.
The BESWMC will be composed of the Punong Barangay as the Chairperson, and one sangguniang barangay, SK Chairperson, President of Homeowners Association, Public/Private school Principal or representatives, one Parents and Teachers Association President or representative, one representative from a religious organization, bus community, environmental non-government organization, junk shop’s owners organization and President of the Market Vendors’ Association as members.
Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological and Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 provides the creation of the BESWMC as well as stipulates that segregation and collection of solid waste shall be conducted at the barangay level, specifically for biodegradable, compostable and reusable wastes.
Año also encourages local chief executives to stringently implement various ESWM policies and rules saying that through them “communities will experience less flooding caused by garbage-clogged drainage system”.
Among the other functions and responsibilities of BESWMC are: establish within the barangay o clusters of barangay a Material Recovery Facility (MRF); allocate barangay funds for the barangay ESWM program approved by the sangguniang barangay; and integrate ESWM program in the Barangay Development Plan and/or Annual Investment Plan.
“BESWMC is instrumental in carrying out ESWM initiatives in the barangays. In fact they are expected to conduct trainings in barangays on topics such as segregation, composting, recycling and livelihood opportunities,” Año explains.
The DILG Chief says the barangay-level committee is also expected to establish a system of buying and selling of recyclable wastes including compost as well as promote livelihood activities from waste materials.
“To ensure the support and cooperation of community residents and other stakeholders, barangays may also enact ordinances to establish an awards system, provide other incentives and impose sanctions in the barangay,” he says.
