Olongapo City - Clean-Up Drive at Parola

CLEAN-UP DRIVE AT PAROLA - SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

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DBP lends Olongapo P400M to set up landfills

Development Bank of the Philippines has granted a P400 million loan to Olongapo City to fund landfill development as the state-owned bank pursues its environmental preservation thrust.

The loan will be used by the local government of Olongapo to acquire recovery facilities and improve garbage collection.

The loan will also fund the design and construction of Olongapo City’s Cabalan sanitary landfill.

DBP president Francisco del Rosario said the project aims to promote a healthier environment and better waste segregation.

"This sound, environmental project will provide a legally and environmentally acceptable waste disposal site for the residents of the city, the businesses in SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) and for nearby municipalities," Del Rosario said.

He said when the sanitary landfill becomes operational, other local government units, including the provinces of Bataan, Pampanga and Zambales, may also benefit from the project.

The project is in line with the governments’ push to implement RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates all local government units to establish and develop sanitary landfills to enhance environmental protection and maintain ecological balance.

Phase 1 of the landfill operation is expected to bring in an average of P104 million a year additional income for the local government units from tipping fees and increases in local fees.

In 2008, the DBP also approved a loan to the Olongapo city government for the purchase of 7,000 pieces of mobile garbage bins as temporary storage for uncollected waste.

The city also bought seven garbage truck compactors to collect garbage from its 17 barangays. malaya.com.ph

DBP earmarked P383.3M for the development of Olongapo's Sanitary Landfill

Olongapo City will finally have its own Sanitary Landfill.

A loan Signing Ceremony was held at City Hall on Wednesday, 7 September 2011, between City Officials led by Mayor James Gordon, Jr. and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) led by Executive Vice President Jesus S. Guevarra II.

Earlier, DBP Sr. Asst. Vice President Rebecca G. Reyes informed Mayor Gordon, in a letter, that the bank has approved the city's loan application for P383.30M, which shall be broken down, as follows: P195.50M for Landfill Development & Construction; P31M for Sanitary Landfill Equipment; P20M for Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Composting Facility; P30M for MRF Composting Equipment; and, P106M for purchase of 6,500 Mobile Garbage Bins.

According to Reyes, the funds will be available within 360 days upon perfection of loan documents.

Republic Act 9003 has banned open dump sites in the country since 2005 and the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) has issued closure orders on all local government units (LGU). To date, however, only a handful of LGUs have their own Sanitary Land Fills.

BARANGAY KALAKLAN REPEATS WIN AS CLEANEST AND GREENEST BARANGAY OF OLONGAPO (2nd Grading)

Brgy. Kalaklan has once again bagged ‘The Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo’ title in the 2nd grading of the competition which focused on the Compost, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (CR3) program of Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and the Local Government of Olongapo City.

Mayor Bong Gordon and Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo awarded Brgy. Kalaklan through Brgy. Captain Jesus Ricardo Federico, accompanied by other officials of the said barangay, a check worth fifty thousand (P50,000.00) as cash incentive during the flag raising ceremonies held recently at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center.

‘’Sana ay maging inspirasyon sa labing-anim (16) pang mga barangay sa Olongapo ang dalawang (2) beses na pagkakapanalo ng Bgry. Kalaklan dahil nagpapakita lamang ito na seryoso sila sa pagsasakatuparan ng Compost, Reduce, Reuse at Recycle (CR3) program sa kanilang lugar’’ Mayor Gordon said.

Judges from Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies gave Barangay Kalaklan 83.22% and 90.75% for the 1st and 2nd evaluation and garnered 87.74 % as final score, the highest among the 17 barangays that competed.

‘’Barangay lamang ang nagsasagawa ng implementasyon ng Compost, Reduce, Reuse at Recycle (CR3) ngunit nasa kamay pa rin ng mga residente ang pagsasakatuparan nito kaya naman malaking bahagi ang mga residente ng Brgy. Kalaklan sa success ng programa at ibinabahagi ko ang karangalan na ito sa aking mga ka-barangay,’’ Kalaklan Brgy. Captain Federico proudly said.

Barangay Sta Rita won 2nd place with 80.05% and Barangay New Ilalim came in at 3rd place with 79.03% final score. Brgy. Asinan was in 4th palce with 77.64% final score and Brgy. East Bajac-Bajac made it to 5th place with 73.19% final score.

Brgys. Sta. Rita, New Ilalim, Asinan and East Bajac-Bajac received P25,000.00, P10,000.00, P8,000.00 and P5,000.00 respectively as cash incentives for making it to the Top 5 in the Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo. P 250,000.00 is at stake for the barangay who will be declared as winner in the 3rd and final grading of the competition.

Meanwhile, for the 3rd and final round, members of the evaluating team will go around the 17 barangays for the pre-evaluation on May 24 to 28, 2010 and again on June 21 to 25 for the final evaluation.

Capacity and Capability and Effectiveness in the implementation of the CR3 served as the basis in the assessment and grading of each barangay. Under the capacity and capability, the judges looked into the Waste and Greening Management Plan, Logistics and Budget, Policies, Structure and Facilities while under Effectiveness the judges assessed the Outputs on Waste Management and Outputs on Greening of the competing barangays.

After the ‘Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo’, another search for the greenest and cleanest will immediately follow, this time different schools from the city will vie for the title. The goal of this search is to inform the youth, particularly the students, regarding the Compost, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (CR3) program of the local government.

Mayor Bong Gordon turns-over to Kalaklan Brgy. Captain Jesus Ricardo Federico and his officials the cheque amounting to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) cash incentive after winning the Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo (2nd Grading). With Mayor Gordon are Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo with ESMO and DILG representatives.

‘Gapo, Naghahanda na sa Pagbubukas ng Klase

Siniguro ni Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. na magiging ligtas ang mga estudyante sa mga daan at paaralan kaugnay ng nalalapit na pagbubukas ng eskwela sa susunod na buwan.

Ngayon pa lamang ay inatasan ko na ang Office of Traffic Management and Public Safety (OTMPS) at Olongapo City Police Office na mas bantayan pa ang peace and order at ang City Health Office upang mas paigtingin pa ang kampanya para sa wastong nutrisyon at programa laban sa dengue sa mga paaralan, paliwanag ni Mayor Gordon.

Nag-umpisa na rin ang ESMO sa pakikipagtulungan ng mga barangay upang linisin ang mga paaralan na sya ring naging polling precints sa nakaraang eleksyon, paliwanag pa ni Gordon. Magagamit na rin ng mga mag-aaral sa Olongapo City Elementary School o OCES ang kauna-unahang overpass sa lungsod upang maging mas maging ligtas ang pagtawid ng mga bata mula sa East Bajac-Bajac patungo sa kanilang paaralan, wika pa niya.

Matatandaan na sa pamamagitan ng HELPS program ni Mayor Gordon ay maraming paaralan sa lungsod ang nabigyan ng school empowerment fund na nagbbigay ng pagkakataon na maitaas ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa mga pampublikong paaralan sa 17 barangay.

Samantala, nanawagan naman si Olongapo First Lady Anne Marie Gordon sa mga magulang ng mga mag-aaral lalo na sa mga ina ng tahanan na suportahan ang pagbubukas ng klase sa pamamagitan ng boluntaryong pagtulong sa DepEd sa paglilinis at pagsasaayos ng mga classroom sa mga paaralan ng kanilang anak.

‘’OPERATION BAKLAS 2010’’

Agarang inatasan ni City Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. ang Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) at ang labing-pitong (17) Barangay Officials sa paglilinis ng mga lansangan ng Olongapo matapos ang ginanap na halalan nitong ika-10 ng Mayo 2010.

Unang tinutukan ng ESMO na baklasin ang mga nakadikit na posters, nakasabit na streamers at nagkalat na polyetos partikular na sa dalamput-dalawang (22) polling places o ang mga pampublikong paaralan na naging venue ng halalan. ‘’Ang election ay isang araw lamang at pagkatapos nito ay simulan natin ang paglilinis ng mga basurang iniwan ng halalan,’’ wika ni Mayor-elect Bong Gordon.

Hanggang sa ngayon ay patuloy na nagsasagawa ng ‘’General Cleaning’’ ang ESMO gayundin ang mga opisyales ng mga barangay upang tuluyan ng maibalik ang kalinisan sa lungsod.

Hiningi rin ni Mayor Gordon ang tulong ng mga Olongapeños na maglinis, ‘’Dapat ang bawat residente ay tumulong at makiisa sa paglilinis magtulungan nalang tayong lahat,’’.

Pao/rem

BARANGAY KALAKLAN WINS AS THE CLEANEST AND GREENEST BARANGAY OF OLONGAPO (1ST GRADING)

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. and Vice-Mayor Cynthia Cajudo awarded the cash prize to Brgy. Kalaklan for winning the 1st Grading for the Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo.

“Batay sa rule ng programa, ang cash incentives na tinanggap ng mga nanalo at mananalo pang barangay ay kinakailangang gamitin sa kanilang implementasyon ng CR3,” Mayor Bong Gordon said.

The Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay was launched not just to challenge the barangays but at the same time implement the Compost, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (CR3) program of the local government.

Brgy. Captain Jesus Ricardo Federico received fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) cash prize for winning the search which started October 2009 and ended December 2009 for the 1st Grading period.

Representatives from the Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO), City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other agencies rated Brgy. Kalaklan with a total average of 85.23%, besting the 16 other barangays in Olongapo.

“Sineseryoso ng aming barangay ang programang Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Mayor Bong Gordon. Dahil dito ay naging mas responsible ang aming barangay at ang mga residente ng Barangay Kalaklan sa pangangalaga ng aming kapaligiran,” said Kalaklan Brgy. Captain Federico.

Brgy. Capt. Federico shared the recognition with his co-barangay officials and the residents of his barangay. “Kaya pala ng aming barangay kaya sigurado ako na makakaya rin ng iba pang barangay.”

Barangay Sta. Rita came in 2nd place with 83.76% grade and received twenty five thousand pesos (P25,000.00) while Barangay West Bajac-Bajac in 3rd place with 80.07% grade and got ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00).

Each barangay was judged by the following criteria; one is the capacity and capability and the other is the effectiveness and implementation of CR3.

Under capacity and capability, the judges assessed the barangay’s Waste and Greening Management Plan, Logistics and Budget, Policies, Structure and Facilities. On the other hand, in the effectiveness criteria, the judges focused on the Outputs on Waste Management and Outputs on Greening.

The judging for the 2nd grading started on January until March 2010 and the 3rd and final grading will start on April until June 2010. The winner for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay will receive two hundred fifty thousand (P250,000.00) for the final grading.

Mayor Bong Gordon turns-over to Kalaklan Brgy. Captain Jesus Ricardo Federico the cheque amounting to Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) cash incentive after winning the Search for the Cleanest and Greenest Barangay of Olongapo (1st Grading). With Mayor Gordon are Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, City Councilors Ellen Dabu and Edwin Piano and City Architect Luz Casipong.

PAO/jordan

SANGGUNIAN ADOPTED THE ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Olongapo City adopted the ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY as proposed by the Environmental Sanitation and Management Office.

It can be recalled that the City of Olongapo is a recipient of the country's Galing Pook Award on several occasions and dubbed as one of the cleanest and greenest highly urbanized cities in the country, due to this accomplishments, Olongapo has become a model for other Local Government Units.

The cleanliness and discipline accolades have been institutionalized through City Ordinance No. 56, AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY, which was enacted way back in 13 December 1995.

The sanggunian finds that some provisions of the above code needs to be updated to fully comply and meet the requirements set forth by Republic Act No. 9003, ECOLOGICAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2000

Further, the amended City Ordinance No. 56, will provide specific and detailed guidelines to the garbage containerization project currently being implemented city-wide in addition to the planned repairs, rehabilitation and upgrade of the existing controlled dumpsite into a sanitary landfill.

Stakeholders' Specific Responsibilities, MRF Management and Operations, Handling and Storage of Solid Wastes, Collection and Transport of Solid Wastes and Penal Provisions were among those sections enhanced to be relevant to current situation. Fees were not amended since it is contained in an ordinance passed last year.

City Ordinance 2009 O - 45 - Entitled AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE OF OLONGAPO CITY is in consonance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the Sanitation Code of the Philippines and other related environmental protocols.

Councilors Jong Cortez and Ed Piano conducted public hearing pertaining to the proposed ENVIRONMENT AND SANITATION CODE, representatives from DENR, DEPED, NGOs and private sector were present. Photo above shows ESMO personnel (between Piano and Cortez) shedding light to queries of stakeholders.

SEARCH FOR THE MOST CLEAN AND GREEN BARANGAY IN OLONGAPO

In his continuing effort to make the Compost, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (CR3) project a success, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has re-launched the Search for the Most Clean and Green Barangay of Olongapo”.

“Mahalaga ang community involvement sa pagkakaroon ng isang malinis at masaganang barangay. Hindi ito magagawa lamang ng iilan, bagkus ito ay magagawa kung sama-sama,” said the mayor in an interview.

The Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) who is handling the project, has conveyed the guidelines to the seventeen (17) barangays in Olongapo who are vying in for the Search for the Clean and Green Barangay.

Included in the criteria for judging are the barangay’s Capacity and Capability and the Effectiveness of the Implementation of CR3 in each barangay.

Under the Capacity and Capability criteria, they will be judged by their Waste and Greening Management Plan, Logistics and Budget, Policies, Structure and Facilities while under the Effectiveness criteria, the judges will look into the Outputs on Waste Management and Outputs on Greening.

Each barangay will be graded for three (3) periods. The 1st Grading started last October to December 2009, 2nd Grading is from January to March and the 3rd Grading is from April to June 2010.

Three (3) barangays will be declared winners and will each get cash incentives that they will use for the implementation of the CR3 project.

The first Search for the Clean and Green Barangay of Olongapo was during Mayor Kate Gordon’s time.

Pao/Jordan

Olongapo City Government Reduces, Re-uses and Recycles Wastes

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. has directed all city government offices and departments to strictly comply with the city’s intensive waste segregation and containerization program dubbed as CR3 or compost, reduce, re-use and recycle.

“As government officials and employees, we must set a good example to the residents. All offices in the city will segregate and dispose their wastes properly. All of us should work together in order to have a cleaner and pollution-free city,” said Mayor Gordon.

In this connection, the Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO), requires each department to have (4) trash bins to segregate waste commonly found in an office like plastic bottles, crumpled paper, cans and residual waste. The ESMO also regularly monitors the adherence of each office or department in line with Mayor Gordon’s directive. An office or department that will not comply with the waste segregation program will be reprimanded at the weekly flag-raising ceremonies and will receive appropriate disciplinary actions.

Pao/sara

Mayor Gordon: “Make Waste Segregation a Habit”

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. once again reminded the populace to segregate household wastes thru the garbage bins provided at the streets of Olongapo City.

“The Olongapo City Government has vigorously campaigned for the C3 or Compost, Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle campaign to manage the city’s waste,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. “If we segregate our wastes, we are not only helping to keep the city clean and healthy but more importantly, we are in one way or another, fighting climate change. Southeast Asian countries are beginning to feel the effects of climate change. For the past two months, the Philippines has been hit by succeeding fierce typhoons, same with Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos and the devastations caused by these typhoons are distressing. So in our own little ways, let us help rehabilitate our environment and I am appealing to all Olongapeños to make waste segregation a habit,” he added.

Accordingly, The Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO), distributed leaflets to Olongapeños explaining in detail the CR3 method to segregate wastes and to promote proper care of the garbage bins provided for the residents.

Meanwhile, Dante Ramos, head of ESMO said concerned residents may report cases of lost or ruined garbage bins to their respective barangay leaders o call the ESMO hotline numbers: 223-4538/224-9346.

Mayor Gordon shows off the new garbage bins being distributed to all barangays in Olongapo in connection with the ‘‘Waste Containerization Program’’ in the city.

Pao/sara

ESMO ON NEW SYSTEM OF GARBAGE COLLECTION

The Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) has renewed calls for cooperation of Olongapeños to support and comply with the new garbage collection system of the city.

Dubbed as the “CR3” or Compose, Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle program, this new system for waste disposal aims to properly segregate the city’s garbage thru the 4,167 garbage bins distributed to the seventeen (17) barangays of Olongapo beginning April 2009.

According to the new waste management system, residuals or garbage that can not be re-used or recycled such as tattered or damaged plastic bags, toys, ballpens, pencils, clothes or rags, disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, styrofoam, animal waste, broken or waste pyrex, bottles, mirrors, bulbs and ceramics should be placed in a separate plastic bag and then to the garbage bin.

However, recyclable materials such as dry newspapers , magazines, booklets, brochures, posters, flyers, phone directories, white or colored papers, boxes, cartons, tin/metal/aluminum cans , aluminum foil s, undamaged plastic or glass bottles or empty aerosol containers should not be thrown to the garbage bins but instead be placed in a separate area so that barangay/purok helpers or accredited barangay or government materials recovery facilities will be able to collect and recycle the garbage properly.

Moreover, the ESMO encourages Olongapeños to decompose their bio-degradable wastes such as left-over foods, fruit and vegetable peels and seeds, egg shells, fish wastes and others, if they have available space for composting outside their homes or place them in a separate plastic bag before throwing in the bins.

Aside from advancing the concern for the environment, the CR3 project also promotes the beautification of the city. The 240 (small) -555 (big) liter capacity bins prevent garbage litters outside houses and on the streets while the green uniformity of these bins is in line with the Clean and Green campaign of the city.

On the other hand, Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. is reminding the people of Olongapo that garbage burning is detrimental to the environment and may cause accidental fires and loss of life and properties. “It is also a violation of the law,” Mayor Gordon said referring to R. A 8749 otherwise known as the Clean Air Act (1999).

EWS COMPLETES DELIVERY OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS AND OTHER SERVICES TO THE CITY OF OLONGAPO

Environmental Waste Solutions (EWS) Philippines has completed its delivery of around 7,400 two- and four-wheeled mobile garbage bins and seven garbage compactor trucks to the City of Olongapo.

EWS has also finished implementing a source separation informational and educational campaign for the citizens of the Olongapo, as well as completed a mobile garbage bin placement service so that the bins are strategically positioned throughout the city to achieve optimum results.

Olongapo is the first city in the country to implement a citywide containerized system. Said system is already up and working well and the project has been well received by the people.

For more information regarding Olongapo City's campaign to improve its Solid Waste Containerization and Transport System, you can visit their website at:http://www.olongapocity.gov.ph/cr3.html.

Below is a picture of one of the bins and trucks delivered to Olongapo City

Update on Mobile Garbage Bin Distribution

The Environmental Sanitation and Management Office headed by Dante Ramos provided update on the distribution of garbage bins around the city, a total of 4,617 medium (240 liter capacity) and 555 large (660 liter capacity) were distributed in the on-going deployment.

ESMO CONTINUES TO DISTRIBUTE BINS

The Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) isa carrying on their task of distributing the containerized garbage bins all over Olongapo City.

This is in line with the full implementation of the new solid waste management system in the city which commenced on April 16, 2009.

A total of 4,617 medium (240 liter capacity) and 555 large (660 liter capacity) bins were distributed to the 17 barangays including churches, schools and government offices in the city.

“Olongapo City’s CR3 project which stands for Compost, Reduce, Re-use and Recycle is now being fully implemented,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. “This project will ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid wastes in the city.”

“Discipline is vital in making this project a success. Patuloy nating hinihimok ang lahat na ugaliin ang tamang paraan ng pagtatapon ng mga basura upang mapanatili ang kalinisan sa ating lungsod,” Gordon added.

ESMO continues to distribute more bins to private hospitals and clinics within the city. They are also considering deploying several bins on the beaches to lessen the garbage that pile up during peak season.

The said office is also studying the areas along Rizal Avenue, Ramon Magsaysay Drive and Gordon Avenue as to where the bins can be appropriately placed.

PAO/chay

CONTAINER BINS FOR CR3 PILOT AREAS

The Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) has completed the distribution of 1,300 container bins to seven (7) barangays in Olongapo City on May 14, 2009.

This is still part of the implementation process of the city government’s CR3 program where 7,000 container bins will be distributed all over the city.

ESMO Head Dante Ramos identified Zone 1, which includes Barangays Banicain, New Kababae, West Tapinac, New Ilalim, West Bajac-Bajac, Kalaklan and Barretto, as pilot areas.

These barangays will be monitored regularly. If there are concerns that need to be addressed, necessary adjustments will be made to ensure that the system becomes more effective.

“Pinapaalalahanan natin ang publiko na maaari nang gamitin ang mga container bins sa mga nabanggit na lugar. Ito ang bagong sistema ng pangongolekta ng basura dito sa ating lungsod,” Ramos said in a radio interview by Subic Broadcasting Corporation dwGO-AM 1008.

“Let us make this new system work for us. Since we already have the tools, we should focus now on training and educating the people on the proper waste disposal,” Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. said.

“Nananawagan din po ang ating Punong Lungsod na pangalagaan natin ang mga bins upang magamit ang mga ito nang mahabang panahon,” Ramos added.

Additional information and other concerns may be directed to concerned Barangay officials or ESMO at tel nos. 224-9346 or 223-4538.

More container bins are being distributed to residents of Barangay Barretto, Olongapo City on May 14, 2009 in connection with CR3, the city’s new garbage collection system. (Photo and caption/PAO)

PLAYING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

PLAYING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. Participants of the Philippine Pool Tour Subic-Olongapo Open show their support to Olongapo City’s environmental initiatives with the launching of CR3 (Compost, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), a new solid waste management system in the city on April 21, 2009. In photo is Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. giving the players a hands-on demonstration on how the city manages its waste disposal. (Photo and caption/ PAO )

CITY GOVERNMENT BANS PLASTIC BUNTINGS

Effective April 2009, City Ordinance No. 13 (Series of 2009) entitled “An Ordinance Prohibiting the installation and display of buntings and pennants made with plastic & non-biodegradable materials along the streets, roads and public places within the city of Olongapo” shall be implemented.

Ordinance No. 13 is an essential part of the program of the city government in maintaining Olongapo City’s cleanliness and orderliness, sustain the development of the tourism industry and protect the health of the community.

The City Council last March 09, 2009 passed the said ordinance in line with the implementation of the first solid waste management program of the city.

The ban of plastic straw strings or plastic buntings and other non-biodegradable materials will lessen the volume of pollutants and trash present in the environment.

The City Council noted that “these materials will remain in the environment for hundreds of years, thereby causing long-term pollution and often cause the blocking of drainage and sewer pipes, resulting to flooding. Also plastic materials discarded to the ecosystem cause death and injuries to animals ingesting it”.

The lead agencies for the implementation of this project are the Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO), the 17 Barangays of the city and the Office of Traffic Management and Public Safety (OTMPS). Violators of the provisions shall be given citations and failure or negligence to settle within ten (10) days shall be further penalized.

Violators of the provisions shall be fined as follows:

First Offense: A fine of Five Hundred Pesos(P500.00)

Second Offense: A fine of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00)

Third Offense: A fine of Two Thousand Pesos (P2,500.00), or imprisonment of not more than three (3) months or both, at the discretion of the court and in the case of business entities, cancellation of their licenses or permit for one (1) year.
Pao/nmm

ESMO DEPLOYS 128 CONTAINER BINS AT WEST TAPINAC

The initial implementation of the new solid waste management system in Olongapo City commenced on April 16, 2009 with the deployment of 128 Container Bins at Barangay West Tapinac.

Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) Head Dante Ramos announced the good news during a radio interview at Subic Broadcasting Corporation dwGO 1008.

“Ang bagong proyekto na bin containerization ay papairalin na dito sa lungsod ng Olongapo. Sa katunayan, ngayong umaga, magkakaroon na ng placement of container bins sa West Tapinac,” said Ramos.

One container bin is allotted for every four to six households initially. “Inaasahan natin na magiging maganda ang resulta ng proyektong ito at darating ang araw na mabibigyan na natin ng tig-iisang bins ang bawat tahanan,” Ramos said.

The container bins are color coded as follows: Yellow for hospitals, Green for households, and Blue for government offices. The city has acquired seven new mechanical trucks to make the process of garbage collection easier.

“This is part of Olongapo City’s CR3 project which stands for Compost, Reduce, Re-use and Recycle,” said Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. “This project will ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid wastes in the city.”

Gordon has appealed for the cooperation of city residents in line with the project: “Kung hindi tayo magmamalasakit sa ating lungsod, sino pa ang aasahan natin?”

Ramos also pointed out the dos and don’ts in the proper utilization of the new bins. Only residual wastes (i.e. candy wrappers) are to be disposed in the said bins. The public should refrain from throwing in recyclables such as plastic, bottles, aluminum, paper and steel, and kitchen wastes that rot and may soil the bins.

To complement the CR3 project, Barangay Officials in West Tapinac are proposing to collect recyclable wastes from every household to help facilitate proper garbage disposal.

Other barangays in Olongapo are already being prepared for the implementation of the said project in their respected areas.

The ESMO is also conducting a massive information dissemination drive which started early this year to promote and campaign on the importance of proper waste disposal and solid waste management system to the school children.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. shows off the new container bins being distributed to all barangays in Olongapo in connection with the implementation of CR3, the new solid waste management system in the city. (Photo and Caption/PAO)
PAO/chay

ESMO IS SET TO DEPLOY CONTAINER BINS

The new solid waste management system in Olongapo City will soon be implemented, according to Environmental Sanitation and Management Office Assistant Head Rogelio Payumo. The deployment of container bins for garbage collection will start on April 7. The three colored container bins, yellow, green and blue are assigned to the hospitals, households and government offices respectively.

One container bin for every four to six households are to be deployed in every barangay. The city has acquired seven new mechanical trucks to make the collection of garbage easier. Before implementation, ESMO will be conducting an information dissemination drive on schools to orient the students of the solid waste management system.

The solid waste management system is in line with Republic Act 9003 which states, “An Act providing for an ecological solid waste management program. Creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes” enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress.

This is also part of the city’s project CR3, Compose, Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. Its main objective is to ensure the proper segregation, collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulation and adoption of the best environmental practice in ecological waste management excluding incineration; Ensure the protection of public health and environment; Utilize environmentally-sound methods that maximize the utilization of valuable resources and encourage resource conservation and recovery.

Pao/nmm

DESILTING OF RIVERS IN THE CITY CONTINUES

The Olongapo City Government headed by Mayor James ‘’Bong’’ Gordon, Jr. remains steadfast in the implementation of the city’s desilting projects.

City Engineering Office through its Head Engr. Bobby Alvarez said the latest work between the Flood Gate and Anonas Bridge has began.

“Regular desilting of rivers in the city can significantly help prevent flooding during rainy seasons,’’ said Mayor Bong Gordon during the flag raising ceremony of local government employees on March 16, 2009 at the Rizal Triangle Multi-Purpose Center.

“Ilang buwan na lamang ay darating na ang buwan ng tag-ulan kaya mahalaga na ituloy-tuloy natin ang desilting sa mga ilog ng Olongapo. Sa ngayon ay tuloy-tuloy rin ang dredging na ginagawa ng Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) sa Kalaklan at Sta Rita Rivers,’’ Mayor Gordon remarked.

It can be recalled that experts on Land Use and Watershed Management Stan Taylor, Coordinator ng Source Protection Planning and Michael Cooke, Senior Planner of Building and Development, both from the City of Windsor in Ontario, Canada paid a visit to Olongapo recently to conduct a study on the city.

Studies of the two (2) experts from Canada revealed that flooding in the city is mainly caused by a combination of typhoon, high tide and the overflowing of Sta. Rita and Kalaklan Rivers.

“Gusto ko rin ipaalaala na ang mga ilog sa lungsod ay hindi basurahan. Inaatasan ko rin ang Environmental Sanitation and Management Office (ESMO) na ituloy-tuloy ang River Clean-up na ginagawa ng city government sa mga ilog ng lungsod,’’ Mayor Gordon added.

On-going desilting at the creek between the Flood Gate and Anonas Bridge, another valuable project of Mayor Bong Gordon that will help prevent flooding in the city.

Pao/rem