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Today's Punto
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Editorial
Talking dirty
Aug 20, 2010
“THE TOTAL amount we need in the first two and half years for collecting garbage would reach P334,454,900. With this amount, we can already build a big hospital with complete facilities.”
Thus highlighted Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Art Punsalan of the high price the garbage problem is exacting on Pampanga.
In a series of fora – dirty talks, we call them for the nature of their subject – with various local officials, the provincial government has presented the sorry state of waste mismanagement in the whole province – open dumpsites everywhere, from the lahar wastelands and quarry sites of Porac and Mabalacat to the very slopes of the FVR Megadike in Guagua, Bacolor and even the City of San Fernando, down to the river banks of Macabebe and Masantol.
“Since we assumed the position, we have started inspecting dump sites to determine the problem. We also determine the cause and effect of too much garbage. From there, we recommend possible solutions.” So said Punsalan.
The possible solutions are as far ranging as the cause of the problem: the city government negotiating for discounted rate in the use of the Kalangitan landfill in Capas, or offering to buy and operate it altogether; the establishment of working materials recovery facilities in cluster areas around each municipality, a model of which is the Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang’s own MRF that impressed no less than Gov. Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda herself; massive education to the street level of the reduce-recycle-reuse and segregation at-source environmental practices.
The last in that list the most pivotal given that the mobilization of an aware, knowing, dedicated and committed citizenry is the first requisite to successful community action.
Even as sanctions and penalties are poised on local government units who continue to defy the provisions of the Solid Waste management Act, the provincial government promises too rewards and recognition to those who shall not only comply with, but even closely adhere to it in the form of financial assistance and projects for the communities.
Again, government can only do so much. The people should do as much, if not even more, to assure for themselves and for the next generation a clean, safe, healthy environment.
Thus highlighted Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Art Punsalan of the high price the garbage problem is exacting on Pampanga.
In a series of fora – dirty talks, we call them for the nature of their subject – with various local officials, the provincial government has presented the sorry state of waste mismanagement in the whole province – open dumpsites everywhere, from the lahar wastelands and quarry sites of Porac and Mabalacat to the very slopes of the FVR Megadike in Guagua, Bacolor and even the City of San Fernando, down to the river banks of Macabebe and Masantol.
“Since we assumed the position, we have started inspecting dump sites to determine the problem. We also determine the cause and effect of too much garbage. From there, we recommend possible solutions.” So said Punsalan.
The possible solutions are as far ranging as the cause of the problem: the city government negotiating for discounted rate in the use of the Kalangitan landfill in Capas, or offering to buy and operate it altogether; the establishment of working materials recovery facilities in cluster areas around each municipality, a model of which is the Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang’s own MRF that impressed no less than Gov. Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda herself; massive education to the street level of the reduce-recycle-reuse and segregation at-source environmental practices.
The last in that list the most pivotal given that the mobilization of an aware, knowing, dedicated and committed citizenry is the first requisite to successful community action.
Even as sanctions and penalties are poised on local government units who continue to defy the provisions of the Solid Waste management Act, the provincial government promises too rewards and recognition to those who shall not only comply with, but even closely adhere to it in the form of financial assistance and projects for the communities.
Again, government can only do so much. The people should do as much, if not even more, to assure for themselves and for the next generation a clean, safe, healthy environment.
- Double strike
- Lapid’s day in court
- Unclean, ungreen
- Unimpressive
- Quarry arithmetic
- What’s love got to do with it?
- A tale of 2 hospitals
- Dump ‘em truckers
- Give it to Chichos
- Faith in Clark
- Nanay and Oca
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