“Cavite Zero Waste Project” in General Mariano Alvarez Launched, Lauded


Mayor Walter D. Echevarria, Jr. (third from left) led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the “Cavite Zero Waste Project” in the Municipality of General Mariano Alvarez involving the local government and the EcoWaste Coalition represented by the group’s president Eileen Sison (fourth from left).  The project seeks to strengthen the implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, in the thriving municipality.  The event was also graced by (from left to right) Miko Aliño of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, Ochie Tolentino of the Cavite Green Coalition and Aileen Lucero of the EcoWaste Coalition.

A timely project that is expected to help in improving the management of solid waste in the thriving town of General Mariano Alvarez (GMA) was formally launched today.

GMA Mayor Walter D. Echevarria, Jr. led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the “Cavite Zero Waste Project” involving the municipal government, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and the non-government organization EcoWaste Coalition.  The signing ceremony took place at the Materials Recovery Facility in Poblacion 1, GMA.

The project aims to strengthen the overall implementation of Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, in the said municipality via direct capacity building activities in seven focal barangays and outreach interventions for the 20 other barangays.

“We undertake this environmental initiative in collaboration with the EcoWaste Coalition and the DILG as this will complement and reinforce our earnest efforts to clean up our barangays, reduce garbage generation, and heighten municipal compliance to R.A. 9003,” stated Mayor Echevarria, Jr.

The municipal government, among other things, is implementing the safe closure and rehabilitation of its controlled waste disposal site.  

Through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office led by Michael Templonuevo , GMA operates a biogas digester at Nicolasa Virata Public Market that is capable of treating 50 kilos of biodegradable market waste, as well as wastewater, per day.  It also runs a portable biogas digester for household and community use that is able to treat three kilos of domestic waste per day.

“The EcoWaste Coalition is excited to forge this environmental partnership with the government and people of GMA, which we hope will translate to greater citizens’ awareness and involvement on ecological solid waste management (ESWM) at the barangay level.  We laud the local authorities for embracing this well-timed initiative,” said Eileen B. Sison, President, EcoWaste Coalition.  

As NGO partner of the municipal government and the DILG, the EcoWaste Coalition will conduct a study on household ESWM practice, implement a capacity building program for the seven focal barangays, and provide technical assistance to these barangays to enhance existing SWM ordinances.

The group, a strong advocate for zero waste resource management, will likewise conduct awareness and outreach activities to the other 20 barangays and the association of junk shop operators and waste pickers in the municipality.

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