LA TRINIDAD, Benguet– The local government revved up its garbage management efforts here with the deputization of Bantay Basura personnel and the issuance of citation tickets to violators.
This is to prolong the life span of the newly opened compartment or Cell 3 of the Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL) in barangay Alno here.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Arthur Pedro said Cell 3 will only accommodate residuals and has a life span of 14 months only. Thus, segregation at source is being advocated. Municipal Ordinance No. 53 -98 or the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance is now also strictly implemented.
Pedro said a total of 183 Bantay Basura personnel have been deputized to monitor compliance with solid waste segregation rules and to ensure the bringing out of garbage per shedule.
The waste management ordinance also provides penalties for violators. To date, 21 violators were recorded at the Municipal Treasury while reports of violators at the barangay level are being consolidated. Fines vary for residential, sari-sari store, mall, hotel, among other categories, he added.
The installation of Bantay Basura and issuance of citation tickets made an impact, Pedro reported. People, he said, are becoming aware of their responsibilities with the measures being undertaken and are now compliant based on their monitoring.
The town collects an average of 30-35 tons of garbage daily. The ESL in Alno was utilized for more than three years reaching its maximum capacity. In 2014, the LGU contracted out the hauling of garbage waste from the town to Tarlac until the opening of Cell 3 in February this year. The local government spent an average of P2 million a month as hauling and tipping fee. **PIA Benguet
