By Julie G. Fianza
BAGUIO CITY — The 7th and Christmas version of the Environmental Waste Management and Sustainability Fair last Sunday, Dec 15, along Session road and Malcolm Square yielded positive results from the participant-exhibitors, and the community as a whole.
This was contained in the assessment report submitted to City Environmental and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) head Atty. Rhenan Diwas and Assistant head Marivic Empizo which focused among others, on slient points; IEC, electronic waste collection, reforestation efforts and vehicle testing.
The fair featured an information, education and communication (IEC) campaign conducted on air, water, and climate change including distribution of flyers to 50 participants on handling, segregating and disposing of electronic and hazardous waste. The role of the community in protecting the environment and human health is emphasized in the activity, Empizo noted.
For the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) booth manned by Wastewater and Hazardous Waste Management Division (WHWMD) head Engr. Wilbur Suanding and his team, 46.55 kilograms of e-waste was collected. Among these is a washing machine, radio, radio with cassette player, electric fan, headlights, electric stove, induction cooler, antenna; several cable cords, cellphones, flashlights and an electric hair brush with cord.
The special wastes shall be turned-over to the e-waste collection center at Bakakeng Central for segregation and proper disposal in an approved facility.
For the tree distribution program; 400 pine, 50 cherry guava and 50 cypress seedlings were distributed through the efforts of Urban Forestry Management-in-charge Floro Bastian and his personnel. As to records, the seedlings shall be planted in backyards and privately-owned lots.
The promotion of local reforestation, biodiversity promotion and carbon sequestration are expected to be achieved through the free tree seedling activity, Empizo also said.
For the Roadside Inspection, Testing and Monitoring (RITM), Engr. Sofronio Pascua of the Environmental Management Division – City Environment and Parks Management Office (EMD-CEPMO) reported that from the 40 vehicles inspected, 26 passed, 13 failed and one was not tested due to damaged motor.
The smoke-belching test last Sunday was conducted for free and Voluntary Emission Certificates (VEC) good for a month were issued to compliant vehicle owners.
Tingi Station, which sells portions of healthy food, pet care products and household materials fared well, according to proprietor Elke Kyle Cadangen.
A seed and book exchange, household donation/exchange and repair booths as well as composting, start-up projects, and upcycled/recycling products were also featured in the fair.
The sustainability fair highlights the need to protect and restore the environment with collective community efforts with continued environmental stewardship, Empizo further said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Benjamin Magalong supports the circular economy’s thrust towards production and consumption utilizing the model for refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, recycle and recover, instead of the usual linear economy which features the manufacture, use and waste pathway.
