The Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) spearheaded a forum on sustainable solid waste management last February 12 at the CCDLAO Building, Tacloban City Hall.
The event brought together barangay officials and representatives from the Tacloban City Government to address pressing concerns on solid waste management and to strengthen the implementation of Republic Act 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
The forum, themed “Leading the Way: Barangay Chairpersons and the Quest for Sustainable Waste Management”, highlighted barangay leaders as crucial drivers of RA 9003 compliance in their communities.
Discussions were mostly anchored on the topic of empowering local implementers to translate policy into household-level practices.
Dr. Rose Anna L. Refuerzo, Dean of the university’s College of Business and Entrepreneurship, held a talk on the critical role of grassroots governance in promoting sustainability.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Regional Office VIII, represented by Eiver Ky Villegas of the Environmental Education and Information Unit (EEIU), further detailed the responsibilities of communities in the solid waste management system, including accountability measures and penalties provided by law.
Meanwhile, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) discussed Tacloban’s Solid Waste Management Ordinance, highlighting the 2023 regulation banning the use of single-use plastics and Styrofoam in business establishments.
The forum was organized to serve as a catalyst for stronger collaboration among EVSU, barangay leaders, and city government agencies; to develop more localized actions and continuous capacity-building to ensure full implementation of waste management laws and ordinances.
EVSU champions its ongoing thrust to promote environmental responsibility and climate action through programs such as this. Together with its partners, the university is educating others to foster community-driven approaches that contribute to long-term climate resilience and sustainable urban living.
This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and SDG 13: Climate Action
Photos courtesy of: EMB Region 8
Written by: JS Beleña | UMDC
