True to the 3rd Saleng Festival’s theme, “Amplifying Voices for Environmental Advocacy,” a hundred and eighty-eight (188) students of the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio Campus raised their voices on solid waste matters, after an environmental-themed lecture, last July 21.
The students from the Colleges of Science, Social Sciences, and Arts and Communication listened to City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) assistant head Engr. Marivic Empizo; Ms. Leah Tuxon representative from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO); and Ma. Agnes Garcia of the Zero Waste Baguio, Inc.
Engr. Empizo talked about Eco-consciousness, Technology and Sustainability; the city’s programs against environmental degradation through efforts from the different groups including the community, socio-civic groups, non-government organizations, churches, businesses, academe and other active groups.
UNIDO representative Ms. Tuxon pointed out what electronic wastes are, harmful components and ways to dispose of them, but not to discharge embedded chemicals within.
Ms. Garcia of ZWBI spoke about solid waste management and her group’s advocacy against single use plastics (SUPs).
Chancellor of UPB, Dr. Corazon Abansi shared how technological advancement and active student participation leads to ecologically sustainable living. Other speakers are Dr. Paul Samuel Ignacio and Assistant Professor Deign Frolley Soriano, both of UPB; and Mr Melecio Balangen from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CAR).
The CEPMO-initiated half-day seminar involves students as they integrate their endeavors with sustainable environmental practices. A solid/e-waste management workshop ensued, with the collated students’ plans and visions.
For starters, a basic waste segregation seminar was proposed; with a six-month trial period and implementation in dormitories and transients. Said practice should be a basic requirement in the renewal of permits and licenses for real estate lessors, the students themselves said.
The reduction of SUPs as packing in groceries, supermarkets and food establishments and the use of eco-bags, and personal containers, including that for “tingi” or smaller portions of products was proposed. Everyone should be responsible in reducing solid waste especially of non-biodegradables, it was emphasized, and incentives are suggested for individuals and establishments who encourage less SUPs use.
Water fountains were suggested in the campuses to lessen the use of plastic containers, but the use of water containers of reusable quality is encouraged.
The use of organic and/or biodegradable materials for cutlery and cuisine was also suggested, with accompanying research and survey on its macro-effect in food or grocery.
The students view a long-term research on green spaces, garden rooftops, integrated plants on outer walls, and at the same time updating and monitoring of remaining green spaces in Baguio with allotment of great percentage of architectural structure in engineering spaces.
A case study of vehicle carbon and ecological footprint, and highly quality renewable energy sources was also proposed by the students.
Research in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and other offices on the production of organic products in place of SUPS, bioplastics, organic/mosquito repellants, plastic-eating organisms, nano-particles’ role in plastic degradation, waste processor, and production of electric machines to turn food waste to organic soil were suggested.
Additional taxes on imported goods using plastic packaging, tourists’ education on waste and pollution, urban gardening using hydroponics, rain-harvesting and water storage using plastic bottles, vermiculture, tree-planting and clean-ups were also suggested. A garbage segregation per day implemented in another region was looked on as a model.
In all the proposals, collaborative efforts from the LGU, NGOs, Civic Societies, the community and all offices are noted.
A closing statement from Hon. Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda, City Councilor and Chairperson on the Committee on Sanitation, Ecology, and Environmental Protection, concluded the event.
UP is the second host school for the Eco-consciousness lecture series.
The city’s universities are part of the climate change information education Campaign Committee of the Baguio City Climate Change Council. **JGF, with reports from CEPMO, ZWBI
