The Provincial Government of Siquijor, through the Siquijor Provincial Zero Waste Management Council (PZWMC), awarded on April 8, the winners of Search for Best Zero Waste Barangay and Public Elementary School at Mt. Bandilaan Nature Park, Siquijor, Siquijor during the Healing Festival Closing Ceremonies.
Barangays Sandugan of Larena, Siquijor won the first prize of P50,000; Tubod, San Juan Siquijor, second with P30,000; and third, Sawang, Maria, Siquijor with a cash prize of P20,000.
Larena Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Kate Magpiong (3rd from left) and the barangay officials of Sandugan led by Barangay Capt. Constancia Atay showing their awards as the Best Zero Waste Barangay in the province. Special awards were given for Larena Municipality as Best Improved Garbage Disposal Facility and Residual Containment Area (RCA) and Best in Implementation and Adherence to the Zero Plastic Waste ordinance of the province. (PIA Siquijor photo)
For the Best Zero Waste Public School, Simacolong Elementary School emerged as the first place winner with the prize of P25,000; Catulayan ES, second, with P15,000; and Logucan ESl, third with P10,000.
Aside from the cash prize, each also received a Plaque of Recognition.
The PZWMC has also chosen municipalities for the special awards, namely: Lazi for the Cleanest and Most Orderly Municipality; Larena for Municipality with Best Improved Garbage Disposal Facility/ Residual Containment; Larena once again for Municipality with the Best in Implementation and Adherence to the plastic Regulation Ordinance of the Province; Siquijor for Municipality with the Most Efficient Waste Collection System; and San Juan for the Best Environmental Legislation (Ordinances,, Resolution, and Policies).
They also received a cash prize of P10,000 each and a Plaque of Recognition.
Another P10,000 each was also given as consolation prize to Barangays Banban of Siquijor town; Manan-ao, Enrique Villanueva; and Cangomantong, Lazi, Siquijor.
The search for Best Zero Waste Barangays was conducted on Dec. 27-29, 2022 and Jan. 3-4 for the Public Elementary Schools.
It was achieved with the PSWMB team of evaluators coming from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), Mother Earth Foundation (MEF), Provincial Zero Waste Task Force (PZWTF), and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
The PZWMC and the Siquijor Provincial Tourism Office thanked the barangays and elementary schools for their support for a Zero Waste Siquijor island. (EA Calibo/Siquijor Provincial Science High School Work Immersion student)
PIA Siquijor Infocen Manager Rizalie Calibo (2nd from right) receiving the Certificate of Appreciation as one of the Board of Judges in the Provincial Search for Best Zero Waste Barangay and Public Elementary Schools. Giving the certificate were (R-L) SP Committee Chair on Environment Gen. Erson Digal, Lazi Municipal Mayor Philmoore Largo, and Environment Officer James Belcina. (PIA)
