Incentives offered to SJDM barangays that step up waste management

The local government of San Jose del Monte (SJDM), Bulacan said Saturday it was giving incentives to barangays within its jurisdiction that would step up on solid waste management initiatives.

In a statement, the SJDM LGU said its move was in line with President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.’s call for local governments across the country to include cleanliness in their performance guarantees under the national government's ''Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas'' program.

SJDM City Mayor Arthur Robes said choosing the cleanest and greenest barangay would depend on the number of garbage sacks and volume of waste seen on roads, canals, markets, and schools, or the areas specified by the government in this project.

''Sa pamamagitan ng inisyatibong ito, naniniwala ang lokal na pamahalaan ng San Jose del Monte, Bulacan na mas maeengganyo ang ating mga residente at lokal na mga lider na panatilihing malinis ang kanilang komunidad, lalo na iyong mga pamilihan, paaralan, mga estero at kanal, pati na rin ang mga kalsada,” said Robes.

The mayor added that the town’s local government would designate a team that would monitor and gauge the volume of trash seen in these public areas.

''Kung magiging mas kaunti ang mga basurang makikita sa mga lugar na ito sa bawat barangay sa mga darating na linggo, isa itong indikasyon na nakikiisa ang bawat residente sa pagpapanatili ng kalinisan sa kanilang lugar,'' Robes said.

Monetary recognition would be given to chosen barangays and could further be translated to more projects related to solid waste and environmental management programs.

''Magagamit nila ang insentibong ibibigay ng lokal na pamahalaan sa pagpapanatili pa ng kalinisan sa kanilang mga barangay. Pwede itong magamit sa pagbili ng mga truck o shredder ng basura pati na rin sa pagpapanatili ng sanitary landfill facilities,” said Robes.

The SJDM mayor said that the LGU would also strengthen its information drive to educate residents about the significance of solid waste management and maintaining cleanliness in every barangay.

The Kalinisan sa Bagong Pilipinas program aims to raise awareness and encourage participation among Filipino citizens in environmental responsibility through proper solid waste management. — DVM, GMA Integrated News