City of Koronadal is recipient of UNIDO’s Recycling Material Facilities
The City Government of Koronadal was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the donation from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) through the assistance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) XII.
In a recent ceremonial turnover spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) held at the Sanitary Landfill in Purok Pagunsan, Barangay Paraiso, City of Koronadal, City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena and City ENRO Augustus L. Bretaňa received the Recycling Facilities worth Four Million Pesos from UNIDO’s Regional Project Manager-Vienna Dr. Carmela Centeno.
These recycling facilities include a Conveyor System, two (2) units of Bottle Crushers, a Generator Set and Plastic Arm Chair Molders.
Mayor Ogena and CENRO Bretaňa both expressed their gratitude to UNIDO and DENR-EMB XII for being supportive to the City Government’s Solid Waste Management Program.
The local chief executive hopes that through these recycling facilities, the solid waste management problem in the city will be mitigated to attract investors and encourage people to come to Koronadal.
In his speech, Mayor Ogena said, “I want to encourage more investors to come to Koronadal, encourage other people and other local government units to reside in this city. I want our city to be a tourist destination.”
The chief executive added that the moment that these recycling facilities will become functional, about seventy percent (70%) of our city’s solid waste will be eliminated.
On the other hand, Bretaňa pointed out that Koronadal City is one of the many local government units (LGUs) which is engaged in practicing Circular Economy initiative.
Circular economy is an industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design. Through this strategy, all forms of waste are returned to the economy or used more efficiently. It does not only protect the environment, but it is a way to use the natural resources more wisely thereby creating further value.
Engr. Visminda Osorio, Assistant Director of EMB XII, acknowledged the efforts and commitment of General Santos City and the City of Koronadal in the implementation of their Solid Waste Management program. “We are so lucky because you are one of the LGUs na nag-benefit sa project na ito”, Engr. Osorio stressed.
With this project, according to Engr. Osoria, there are other LGUs that have also signified their interest for them to avail the same project.
Meanwhile, in her message, Dr. Centeno gave more insights about the project. According to her, the activity is part of the regional project of UNIDO, the Demonstration of Best Available Techniques (BATs) and Best Environmental Practices (BEPS) in Open Burning Activities in response to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
The program aims to introduce Circular Economy in the country and to become eventually a national flagship program. “Ang ambition po talaga natin to really see Circular Economy coming in to the Philippines na maging isang national flagship program talaga.”, Dr. Centeno remarked.
She also added that the said project is participated in by five (5) countries; Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Philippines and Vietnam.
In the Philippines, according to Dr. Centeno, only two LGUs from Region XII were identified as the pilot demonstration sites, the City of Koronadal and General Santos City, being the beneficiaries of the Recycling Material Facilities and the Centralized Materials Recovery Facility respectively.
Mayor Ogena and CENRO Bretaña both assured Dr. Centeno that these facilities will be used and maintained. “Pinasisiguro ko na aalagan namin ito.”, Mayor Ogena said. CENRO Bretaña, on the otherhand, promised, “Expect us that we will really utilize this. Hindi lang po display.”
Everyone in attendance, including Ms. Haidee C. Piniero, National Project Manager of UNIDO Philippines; Dr. Evelyn Laurito, consultant from the University of Sto. Tomas; officials from the EMB XII Regional Director Omar M. Saikol; Mr. Ferdinand Pareja, Waste Management Officer representing General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera; and South Cotabato Provincial Environment and Management Officer (PEMO) Siegfred Flaviano, have witnessed the actual demonstration of the said recycling facilities.