SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya —Sometime in July 2012, then-Rep. Carlos Padilla and his wife Ruth launched a localized Solid Waste Management Program initiative at the Tomas Dacayo Community Center in this town.
Because of its positive effect, the “Basura Itinapon, Dapat Ayusin—Kikita Ka Na, Iwas Sakit at Dagdag Allowance Pa” (Bida Kid) program was implemented in public elementary schools in the province. It encouraged schoolchildren in responsible solid waste management even in their young age.
The Bida Kid program encourages public students and their parents to collect and gather recyclable materials. They are brought to schools every Friday and subjected to a merit system, where every kilo of recyclable materials is equivalent to one point.
The points are reflected on each pupil’s Bida Card Kits given by school officials. The points earned are then converted into equivalent packages, such as school supplies, personal accessories, and grocery items.
The Bida Kid program is now institutionalized in public elementary schools through the Department of Education and junk shop operators in the province.
“We are very glad that it gained overwhelming support from school officials, students, the business sector and parents as well,” Padilla said.
In 2014, Ruth Padilla, who won the gubernatorial post, made the SWMP as one of her priority programs. She asked the help of the provincial board to enact of an ordinance declaring every November each year as Environmental Awareness Month Celebration in Nueva Vizcaya.
This ordinance put the 275 barangays of the province in the spotlight, as one of the highlights of the monthly celebration was the Search for “Makakalikasang” Barangays (Environment-Friendly Villages).
“This search evaluates the programs, projects and activities of barangays in support of the SWMP, environmental protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation,” Padilla explained.
Through the search, good practices and unique initiatives are documented and rated by a team of evaluators, who personally visit their entries. They are also shared as excellent program and project models, which can be adopted by other barangays.
In celebration of the April 2015 Earth Day, several barangays were given recognition and awards as eco-warriors at the St. Mary’s University in Bayombong town.
Barangay Osmenia in Solano town grabbed 7 awards and got a cash prize of P23,000 as one of the best Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management implementers of the ESWM or Republic Act 9003.
These awards include Best Punong Barangay, Best Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee, Best Secretary, Best Enforcers Team, Best in Information Education Campaign, 2nd Place – Best Barangay and 7th Place – Best Materials Recovery Facility.
“It was a product of cooperation and support among our fellow villagers. Through them, we could implement and sustain this program,” said barangay captain Danilo Domingo.
He said the institutionalization of their ESWM is anchored on various legal measures such as issuance of executive orders which started in 2010.
It also deputized barangay tanods as eco-police, conduct of multi-sectoral clean-up and Pulot Plastic Day, involving purok officials on information campaign on proper waste segregation, establishment of ESWM and providing penalties, provision of compost pits and vermiculture facilities, among others.
To sustain their ESWM good practices, barangay Osmenia also implements beautification projects such as eco-sheds and conduct eco-tour hosting for other barangays.
In August 2014, barangay Osmenia also awarded more than P87,000 for the construction of eco-sheds of its seven puroks, where they have become sources of income through the sales of their accumulated recyclable materials.
Sacks were also given to villagers and business establishments for proper waste segregation worth P30,000. A garbage truck, and bicycles with sidecars were also provided for the puroks to intensify proper waste segregation and collection.
Like barangay Osmenia, the provincial government also provides financial support and technical assistance to its 275 barangays.
Through a P10.1 million partnership with Mother Earth Foundation, the provincial government implements the Zero Waste Management Program for Nueva Vizcaya’s 275 barangays.
Through the pact, Material Recovery and vermi-composting facilities are funded to enable the recipient barangays to earn income and generate organic fertilizer.
“We also tapped 25 schools in the towns of Bayombong and Solano which adopted the construction of MRFs inside their campuses,” Padilla said.
She said the Search for “Makakalikasang Barangay,” which started in 2014 serves as an incentive project to award and reward best barangay practitioners of ESWM and sustain their good practices.
This is being conducted during the annual celebration of Earth Day and it is currently sustained by Ruth’s husband, current Gov. Carlos Padilla.