In their drive towards a cleaner and greener community, village officials inked an agreement with Victorias Milling Company Foundation Inc. (VMCFI) for the establishment of the first barangay-based Materials Recovery Facility in Brgy. Purisima, Manapla in Negros Occidental, recently.
VMCFI is the foundation arm of Victorias Milling Co. that owns the lot where the facility will be constructed which is within the village’s Eco Park.
“This is part of our resolve to support local initiatives on solid waste management,” VMC President Linley Retirado said in a press release on Tuesday, Nov. 21.
Manapla Councilor Mika Escalante lauded the parties and vowed support from the local municipal government towards the program that will not only ensure a clean and green barangay, but has the potential to become a model for eco-tourism.
Brgy. Captain Cresenciano Sombero Jr. welcomed the partnership and thanked VMC and VMCFI for the support and urged officials and residents to “do our part to sustain this project.”
Sombero said LGUs and barangays are required by law, under RA 9003 known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Act to implement and enforce solid waste management programs.
“This is long overdue and we are thankful for the support of VMC as well as the municipal government for the establishment of this MRF in our community,” Sombero added.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Vic Lapidez said there are “endless possibilities with the presence of an MRF which can uplift lives in the community as this can provide livelihood to the people if implemented effectively.”
Under the Memorandum of Agreement signed by Retirado and Sombero, VMCFI will fund the construction of the facility but the barangay will assume full responsibility in managing, operating, repair and maintenance of the MRF.
Purisima will also coordinate closely with the LGU in hauling non-biodegradable wastes from the MRF to the town’s disposal area.
Part of the proposal is to create a path for vehicles that will deliver and pick up waste materials from the facility, establishment of an area where biodegradable wastes will be sorted, provision of a shredder and septic tank, an area for composting and an area for gardening adjacent to the facility that will be constructed, all within the Eco Park, the press release said.
Under the MOA, the barangay will be responsible to ensure the whole vicinity will be kept clean and free from any immoral, illegal and pollution-related activities and will only be used for the said purpose it was intended for, it added.*