Nationwide search for Model Barangay in eco-waste mgm’t

Barangay Linumot, in Jones, Isabela won P1 million and a presidential trophy in the first Nationwide Search for Model Barangays in Eco-Waste Management System last 2004.

The search for model barangays, one of the projects undertaken to implement Republic Act 9003 (RA9003), or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, is being held for the second time.

Previous winners include Barangay Linumot, in Jones, Isabela; Barangay Panoypoy in Calbayog City; Barangay Holy Spirit in Quezon City; Barangay Bued in Calasiao, Pangasinan; Barangay Sta. Cruz in Sto. Tomas, Batangas; and thirty-one more barangays that all won presidential trophies and cash prizes totaling P2 million.

The Nationwide Search for Model Barangays for Eco-Waste Management System 2006-2007 is a follow-through project to the search held and graced by President Arroyo at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace last August 2004, and a solid vision towards the promotion and barangay-based implementation of RA 9003.

This year’s search will focus on education, engineering, enforcement and the economics of solid waste management system in barangays which will be categorized into five levels based on their Internal Revenue Allotment for CY 2005 or on their income levels.

The top five model barangays in each level that reach the national round will each receive P1 million.

Among the awards and distinctions to be given in the search are the following: best overall ecological solid waste management program, best practices (bio-waste management, recycling, residual waste management disposal), residual waste management (effective zero-waste or use of alternative technology). There will be five model barangays, one model municipality, one model city, and one model province.

The search is jointly undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources which chairs the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC), the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Earth Day Network Philippines, in partnership with the Zero Waste Recycling Movement of the Philippines Foundation, Inc., Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines, Solid Waste Reduction Master Plan for Metro Manila, Clean and Green Foundation, Inc., the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, the Philippine Bar Association, the Philippine Business for the Environment, Eco-Waste Coalition, and Tanggo Kalikasan.

For additional information on this year’s search, contact Ms. Raquel Tandug of the NSWMC secretariat at the 2nd Flr., HRD Building, DENR Compound, Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City, at (632) 920-2252, 920-2279, 925-4796 / 9250-4797 local 3.