By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The provincial government of Iloilo is taking significant steps to address solid waste management with a comprehensive strategy involving the entire government apparatus.
On May 10, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. issued an executive order (EO), officially instituting “Limpyo Iloilo for #MorPRoGRes: Strategies and Solutions for the 10-Year (2017-2026) Solid Waste Management Plan of the Province of Iloilo.”
The initiative underscores the urgency of enhancing waste management practices amid escalating climate change impacts and natural disasters.
The 16-page EO builds on the solid waste management plan approved by the National Solid Waste Management Commission in 2018 and aligns with the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
It details various strategies including source reduction, collection, treatment, processing, and disposal.
Key to the source reduction strategy is the Individual Waste Targeting Strategy, which focuses on significantly reducing specific solid waste materials as identified by Waste Analysis and Characterization Studies.
“In total, the targeted solid waste for SWM Source Reduction by 2026 is 91% of the total (plastic solid wastes). It should be disposed of ecologically through a long-term disposal facility or sanitary landfill,” the EO reads.
One of the specific projects highlighted is the BALIK-ALAT Project, which promotes the use of alternative packaging and reusable bags across public markets, grocery stores, and business establishments to minimize single-use packaging materials.
Meanwhile, unlike the BALIK-ALAT Project which targets non-biodegradable bags or containers, the provincial government will also employ the TAPON TO IPON Project which targets clear bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate.
For waste collection, the provincial government plans to synchronize environmental clean-up activities with road safety and cleanliness under the “Limpyo sa Dalanon” program at the barangay level.
Meanwhile, Defensor also detailed strategies in the treatment and processing of solid waste through the “Limpyo Iloilo for MoRProGRes.”
The “Limpyo Iloilo” incorporates strategies like “Limpyo Eleksyon,” which calls for the proper disposal of election campaign waste materials, and “Trash in a Bottle,” an alternative recycling technology aiming to transform low-density plastic trash into useful construction materials.
Regarding disposal, the government intends to develop Sanitary Landfills (SLFs), aiming for one SLF per congressional district and converting existing city and municipal waste facilities into Ecological Solid Waste Management Centers. These centers will integrate recycling, composting, and landfilling to optimize resource utilization and minimize environmental impact.
Governor Defensor emphasized the urgency of these measures, noting that the Annual Investment Program for 2024 will be revised to include these vital solid waste management initiatives, with funding supported by supplemental budgets for Fiscal Year 2024 and proposals for Fiscal Year 2025.
