Funding for solid waste program set for release

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will be handing over checks for not less than P1 million to all cities and municipalities for the implementation of their solid waste management program.

President Gloria Arroyo, in a recent visit here in Cebu, turned over a check worth P100 million to Garcia for the Capitol’s solid waste management program.

During the Provincial Development Council meeting, Garcia told the city mayors, vice mayors and barangay officials that the check is already at the coffers of the provincial government, ready for release.

But Garcia said that before the releasing of the financial assistance, the province will come up with a counterpart funding to implement the program, which the Capitol expects to be achieved by the last quarter of this year.   The town of San Francisco in the Camotes group of islands, according to Garcia, will serve as the model for other towns in Cebu to emulate. 

Garcia made the announcement after she was impressed by the way local officials of San Francisco took the province’s programs seriously.

In her visit to the town recently, the governor noticed the clean streets of San Francisco, the roadsides planted with vegetable crops and ornamental plants in adherence to the Province’s E-Gwen (Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures) program.

“Karon pa lang, nihunghong ko ni Mayor Al (Alfredo Arquillano, Jr.), naka-panglingo-lingo ko, pagkalimpyo sa tibuok San Francisco. Gikan sa mga kadalanan hangtod sa mga eskuwelahan among nalibot — puno og tanom, gikutihan gyod og butang sa mga kilid. Sa tinuod lang ang lungsod sa San Francisco mahimong modelo sa ubang mga lungsod ning lalawigan sa Sugbo,” Garcia said.

Last year, the province launched a contest for the program. E-Gwen coordinators represented by different agencies evaluate schools, barangays, towns and cities that best implement the program.

“Premyohan na sad nato ’tong mga naningkamot, ug akong tan-aw, makapremyo gyod tingali ning mga eskuwelahan sa San Francisco da kay labihan mang klaroha ang ilang paningkamot sa pagpanglimpyo ug pagpananom,” Garcia added.   — Garry B. Lao/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)