• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod’s daily garbage collection has reached between 1,800 and 2,000 cubic meters, city administrator, Atty. Mark Steven Mayo, said Nov. 10.
The current volume exceeds the 800-cubic-meter baseline established in the city’s existing contract with International Solid Waste Integrated Management Specialists Inc. (ISWIMS).
Mayo said the findings were presented during a public consultation with various sectors on the Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) of consulting firm SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV).
In the presentation, the SGV noted that per the end-of-pipe analysis, a substantial portion of the disposed waste stream still has the potential to be recovered, recycled, composed, or diverted.
Mayo noted that based on the study, households generate the bulk of the city’s collected waste.
He emphasized the need to reinforce community compliance with the 25-year-old Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
“We are really calling for the efficient utilization of the barangay materials recovery facilities. The primary goal is waste avoidance, meaning we should avoid producing garbage in the first place, and while everyone agrees that this is a very challenging effort, everyone has also committed that this is what needs to be done,” Mayo said.
The SGV study will undergo further review and consultation, with its findings and recommendations to be presented to concerned offices for consideration and approval. | TMD
