PREPARATIONS ARE underway for barangays to take responsibility of garbage collection in Zamboanga City as provided under a local solid waste management ordinance passed in 2016. Rodrigo S. Pagotaisidro, public service officer of the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), said barangays are expected to set up a solid waste management committee and enforcers, color-coded segregation bins, composting facilities, and a collection schedule for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes, among others. Barangays are also authorized to collect a monthly P50 garbage collection fee per family. The city government, for its part, is distributing garbage trucks and compactors to the barangays starting this week. “Upon the distribution of the garbage trucks, garbage collection covering the barangays handled by the OCENR will gradually be pulled out,” Mr. Pagotaisidro is quoted in a statement from the city government. Under Ordinance 2016-176, OCENR will continue to handle garbage collection at the central business district, schools, hotels and restaurants, government offices, places of worship, and public spaces. Meanwhile, the OCENR and barangay leaders have also finalized the criteria for the barangay cleanliness competition set to be launched this month. Barangays will be rated based on the following: environmental organization; information, education, and communication (IEC); engineering; enforcement; and equity and entrepreneurship.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR