Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Municipal Government is eyeing to double its production of eco-blocks and to make flower vases/pots out of collected garbage.
This, following the donation of a plastic densifier amounting to P268,900.00 and an electric molding machine costing P312,800.00 by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Provincial Office to the municipal government on September 26, 2018 at the new Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
Environmental Management Specialist Roger Agcapen of the Bontoc–LGU said that the machines are now placed at the Solid Waste Management (SWM) facility at Am-ancho, Bontoc Ili to be operated by personnel of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
Agcapen explained that the machines are designed for the production of eco-blocks. The mixer which is run by a diesel engine can hold at least one bag of cement, two cans of crushed bottles, and 10 cans of sand. After these items are mixed, these are placed in the electric molding machine which can function with the use of an electric motor. He added that with this ratio, they can produce at least 45 to 50 pieces of eco-blocks.
Meanwhile, the plastic densifier (melter) has a capacity of 50 kilograms, thus, it can accommodate 25 kilograms of used oil and 25 kilograms of shredded cellophane and styrofoam at an equivalent weight measurement. It is designed to melt used oil and shredded cellophane and styrofoam to be placed later in a molding container to dry.
In the meantime, Agcapen mentioned that the flower vases/ pots and eco-blocks to be produced will be used at the SWM facility in Am-ancho.
Prior to the turnover of the machines, Senior Research Specialist II Gwyncel Kay Bacwaden of the DOST-Provincial Office explained that the municipal government submitted a project proposal for the former to provide the machines needed in order to turn cellophane, styrofoam, and broken bottles and glasses into useful products.
Recognizing the efforts of the municipality in the implementation of its solid waste management programs, the importance of the machines being requested by the municipal government and after reviewing the proposal, the DOST –Provincial Office approved the request.
She narrated that this is the second phase of the assistance provided by the DOST to the municipal government as it earlier turned over a bottle crusher and a plastic shredder last year.
The bottle crusher and the plastic shredder are being used by the municipal government in the production of eco-blocks and has tapped a group of senior citizens to manage it.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey voiced out that with the meager budget and limited resources of the municipal government, it established networks with national agencies to aid in solving the solid waste management problem of the locality. With this, he expressed his gratitude to the DOST for its continuous assistance to the town.** Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc- LGU
