DENR-EMB 7 Solid Waste Management Section Chief John Ray Kyamko (center) discussing the 24th Anniversary of RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, during the Kapihan sa PIA forum on Jan. 15. (PIA7)
CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA)– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Region 7 highlighted the significant role of informal waste workers in this year’s Zero Waste Month celebration.
DENR-EMB 7 Solid Waste Management Section chief John Ray Kyamko said this year marks the 24th anniversary of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
This year’s theme is “Integrating Sustainability and Circularity into the Informal Waste Sector.”
“Kani mga informal waste sectors bisan wa pa ni nga balaod nga RA 9003, naa na ni sila. Nangalkal, mamunit sa mga plastic, mga puthaw. Tungod sa ilang paninguha ug pangalkal sa basura mao na ang nahimo nila nga panginabuhi. Ang uban naghimo na ug junkshop, ni-grow na sila,” Kyamko explained during the Kapihan sa PIA forum on Jan. 15.
(These informal waste workers have been around even before RA 9003 came into existence. They collect and sort plastics, metals, and other recyclables. Through their hard work, they’ve turned waste scavenging into a livelihood. Some have even managed to establish junk shops and grow their operations).
He highlighted that the informal waste sector reduces waste management expenses for local government units and taxpayers.
Kyamko said DENR-EMB aims to connect the informal waste sector with opportunities from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private companies, facilitating proper garbage segregation and disposal.
As part of the Zero Waste Month celebration, DENR-EMB 7 set up five eco-stations during the Sinulog 2025 Festival to promote waste segregation.
“Kaning among mga ecostation naka-tent ni siya para dili mabasa unya segregrated sad. Around 290 tons ang nakolekta during the Sinulog Festival,” Kyamko said.
(These eco-stations were covered to protect against rain and designed for proper waste segregation. During the Sinulog Festival, we collected around 290 tons of trash).
He explained that properly segregated waste could reduce overall disposal volume to just 10–15 percent, significantly lowering costs.
This would allow the government to redirect savings to more essential public services.
“So, kung tarongon nato ug segregate ang katong budget para sa paglabay sa basura mabutang nato sa health care. Mabutang siya sa mas importante nga benepisyo,” he added.
(If we segregate properly, the budget allocated for waste disposal can instead be used for healthcare or other vital government programs).
Kyamko also stressed the importance of properly handling special and electronic waste, as these contain hazardous chemicals and pose environmental risks. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)
