Cimatu eyes Ilocos Norte as first province with ‘complete’ sanitary landfills

Laoag City—Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu sees the potential of Ilocos Norte as the first province to establish sanitary landfills in each municipality.

“I am looking forward to that day na lahat-lahat ng mga municipalities sa Ilocos Norte ay may sanitary landfills,” he said in a meeting organized by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) headed by Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall on August 8, 2019.

Attendees include local government executives, city and municipal environment officers, and different environmental stakeholders.

According to Mr. Cimatu, Ilocos Norte would encourage other provinces to establish their own disposal areas if it would set an exemplary action in addressing improper waste management.

Out of 21 municipalities, he lauded the officials of Bacarra, Banna, Nueva Era, Paoay, Piddig, San Nicolas, and Vintar for having operational sanitary landfills. Meanwhile, the landfills of the municipalities of Bangui, Dingras and Sarrat are still under construction.

Moreover, the Municipality of Pagudpud was cited for its utilization of materials recovery facility (MRF) in an effort to lessen solid wastes.

Included in the concerns discussed during the meeting was the process of acquiring Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) for qualified sanitary landfill and merging of some municipalities in the utilization of such, and the enforcement of environmental laws.

Strict implementation of environmental laws

During the meeting, Mr. Cimatu cited the Municipality of Pagudpud for its minor environmental problems regarding the improper construction of establishments along the town’s beaches.

He urged the local government officials to properly observe the Philippine Clean Water Act, avoiding similar violations in Boracay, and the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.

“The one that should implement these laws is the local government unit. The city mayors, the municipal mayors and the barangay captains. Sila ang may responsibilidad nito,” he expressed.

At present, Mr. Cimatu said the quality of air in Ilocos Norte is not yet a problem but he reminded the province to still comply with the Philippine Clean Air Act.

Mr. Manotoc, for his part, pledged to work hand-in-hand with the whole Ilocano community towards protection of the province’s natural resources.

“Rest assured that the Provincial Government and all of our good mayors will continue to be eco-warriors and teach our kailian to highly value our environment. We will continue to empower them and to protect the natural resources that Ilocos Norte has been blessed with,” Mr. Manotoc stressed. (Blessing Angel Agliam)

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become...

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel...

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi...

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog