ANTIQUE – The local government unit (LGU) of Sibalom, Antique will be conducting a cleanup this Jan. 26 in celebration of Zero Waste Month.
Mayor Gian Carlo Occeña issued Memorandum Order No. 2023-1 for this, addressed to all 76 punong barangays of this town.
“All barangays of this municipality, including the elementary and secondary schools and the University of Antique, are hereby enjoined to participate in the orchestrated cleanup on Jan. 26, 2023 (Thursday) at 7 a.m. onwards,” read part of the memo.
This is also in observance of the 22nd signing anniversary of the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Occeña encouraged the involvement of the Sangguniang Kabataan, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Peoples Organizations (POs), and all 4Ps, or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program member-beneficiaries.
During the clean-up, Occeña stressed that all solid waste must be strictly segregated at source. Biodegradable wastes shall be held by the barangay for composting, except in the Poblacion.
Residual wastes such as plastics, cloth, rubber, and styrofoam shall be stored in the materials recovery facility of the barangay until their collection is scheduled by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
The cleanup shall include all waterways, such as irrigation canals, creeks, and rivers.
The mayor also reminded that the LGU is strictly implementing the following:
* no segregation, no collection policy
* no open burning of garbage and rice straws
* no dumping of garbage in waterways and idle lots
Violation thereof is punishable by Municipal Ordinance No. 044-2016 in the amount of P1,000 to P2,500.
Occeña also directed all barangays to establish their Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) as mandated by Section 32 of the R.A. 9003. Barangays without their MRF after June 20, 2023, shall be reported to the Environmental Management Bureau-Region 6, and the Commission on Audit for their reference and appropriate action./PN
