LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) – Keeping the environment clean remains a challenge. It requires consistent effort and cooperation from everyone.

One of the essential solutions to this issue is proper garbage management.

In La Trinidad, Benguet, the so-called Bantay Basura advocates have been working hard to keep communities clean for almost nine years now.

Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer-designate Arthur Pedro said the role of these advocates is significant in maintaining cleanliness, especially in proper waste segregation.

"Ang trabaho ng isang Bantay Basura advocate is para i-inform ang mga constituents ng municipality ng La Trinidad doon sa proper segregation of waste mula doon sa mga bahay or doon sa mga household, kaya maliban sa awareness of information na ibinibigay nila, mino-monitor din nila if 'yung basura na dinadala nila sa collection point or doon sa designated collection point is properly segregated," Pedro said.

[The work of a Bantay Basura advocate is to inform the constituents of the municipality of La Trinidad on proper waste segregation from households. Aside from information awareness, they monitor if the wastes being brought to the collection point or in designated collection point are properly segregated.] 

They are also actively involved in the implementation of ordinances, particularly in community cleanliness and order

"Ang mga  bantay basura advocates din natin are deputized para manghuli sa mga constituents natin na hindi nagse-segregate ng kanilang mga basura," he added.

[The bantay basura advocates are also deputized to arrest constituents who do not segregate their garbage.] 

These advocates started to work in 2016 under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers of the Department of Labor and Employment. 

With their significant contribution to keeping the communities clean, the LGU continued the project under the Bantay Basura program. The group consists of 13 women.

With the strengthening of the environmental cleanliness campaign, they also continue to provide valuable contributions to uniting citizens in maintaining cleanliness in their communities.

The local government extends support to the group by providing essential supplies, including personal protective equipment.

"Mayroon tayong naibibigay, yearly naman 'yun. Mga butas at raincoat, gloves. Ngayong taon nagbigay din tayo ng flashlights, tongs  and medicine kit. Nakipag-coordinate tayo sa MDRRM para magbigay sila ng first aid kit para ibibigay sa natin sa mga Bantay Basura advocates natin."

[We also give something to them yearly like rubber boots, raincoats, and gloves. This year,we gave them flashlights, tongs, and medicine kits. We coordinated with MDRRM to give them a first aid kit.] 

Meanwhile, the  members expressed their gratitude to the Bantay Basura Program, for aside from making a positive impact on the environment, it has also supported them in their daily needs.

"Dakkel met a ti pasalamat ko ta dakkel met ti tulong na. Kaspangarigan day dadduma nga allowance mi dagijay usaren mi kasjay. Santo ti maysa, senior kamin, igat gatang mi ti agas, dagijay maintenance me," Pauline Pudod Waklin, a bantay basura advocate said.

[I am thankful for the big help because from our allowance, we can buy what we need. As we are also senior citizens, we also use it to buy milk and maintenance.]  

With the progress of the cleanliness campaign, everyone's cooperation is essential to maintain order and sanitation in the communities. (JDP/DEG – PIA CAR with Novelyn Metua, BSU Intern) (Photos: BSU Interns)