KAUSWAGAN, Lanao del Norte (PIA) — The local government here inaugurated its sanitary landfill in Barangay Tugar, which showcased the town’s commitment to waste management.
Spanning three hectares, the state-of-the-art facility includes a vermicomposting area for biodegradable waste, a material recovery facility for recycling, and an organic vegetable garden. A computer system manages the data from a weighbridge, which measures the weight of garbage trucks as they enter the landfill.
Mayor Rommel Arnado expressed his pride in this achievement and emphasized the importance of proper garbage collection and waste management.
Since taking office, Arnado has prioritized improving garbage collection, implementing ordinances on recycling and segregation, and gradually introducing new regulations to enhance the process. The town now utilizes covered garbage trucks and modern equipment for efficient waste management.
“I call it momentous; this is rare. We have not done this in practice before. But now, we can call it a modern way of collecting. What’s great about this is that it comes with a livelihood program,” he said.
The facility provides livelihood opportunities to the community where the recycling specialists can earn income by recycling plastic bottles into eco-bricks, organic vegetable farming, and hollow-block making.
Meanwhile, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Felisa Ritsel Alivio explained the transformation of the municipality’s waste management system from an open dump site to a sanitary landfill in compliance with Ecological Solid Waste Management Act No. 9003 of 2000. She also highlighted the importance of strict waste segregation, with a “no segregation, no collection” policy.
“Upon operation sa atong sanitary landfill, all garbage nga ato gisulod sa SLF is residual waste—meaning wala na’y mapakinabangan. We ensure that only non-recyclable waste, like sanitary napkins, used clothing, and broken glasses, is disposed of here,” Alivio said.
(Upon operation of our sanitary landfill, all garbage that we put into the SLF is residual waste—meaning it is no longer useful. We ensure that only non-recyclable waste, such as sanitary napkins, used clothing, and broken glasses, is disposed of here.)
Alivio also emphasized that the facility not only manages waste but also educates the community on environmental stewardship.
Recycling specialists Casana Pernia and Elvis Bigornia shared how the livelihood initiative can impact their lives. Pernia, whose livelihood revolves around farming, appreciated the economic benefits of recycling.
“Dako kaayo ni nga tabang sa amo, pasalamat mi kay kami gikuha na sa pag-recycle. Sa una, wala mi kabalo nga naay kwarta ang basura. Karon ra mi nakabalo nga naay kwarta ang basura. Mao ni nga nag-organize mi uban sa uban nga mag-recycle. Gawas pa, naay livelihood,” she said.
(This is a huge help for us, and we are grateful because we were included in the recycling program. Previously, we didn’t know that garbage could be profitable. Now we realize that there is money in waste. That’s why we organized with others to recycle. Additionally, there are livelihood opportunities.)
Meanwhile, Bigornia, previously working at the coal-fired plant, now focuses on waste collection and recycling in his community. He shared that the local government trained them how to make organic waste as fertilizer and transform plastic bottles into eco bricks.
“Dako kaayo og tabang kay ako maistorya sa akong mga pamilya ug silingan kung unsa ka importante ang pag-recycle sa basura. Dili magpataka og labay kay mao man jud ang problema sa Pilipinas ang basura, nagasagol-sagol. Ako usab gitudlo sa akong silingan kung unsa ka importante ang pag-segregate,” he said.
(It is a great help because I can explain to my family and neighbors how important recycling waste is. We shouldn’t just throw things away randomly, as this is a major problem in the Philippines with mixed waste. I will also teach my neighbors about the importance of segregation.) (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
