MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--City Mayor Majul Gandamra encapsulated the various initiatives of the local government of Marawi to address the perennial problem of solid waste management (SWM) in the city in his State of the City Address (SOCA) Friday, August 27.
Gandamra said his administration has implemented various programs and activities on solid waste management such as broadcast and social media campaigns about cleanliness and proper waste disposal, and massive information drive to encourage Marawi residents to practice the "reduce, reuse, and recycle" behavior.
He also said that the city government has stepped up in crafting local ordinances on SWM and intensified the garbage collection in the barangays even to the temporary shelter areas.
Since 2016, the city government has also been implementing the clean, green and beautification drive, the latest was conducted days before Gandamra delivered his SOCA.
"Marami na po tayong nagawa para sa solid waste management dito sa ating lungsod. Marawi na po tayong heavy equpment and trucks na ginagamit para maitaguyod ang kalinisan dito sa Marawi. Parte ng prayoridad ng inyong lingkod ang kalinisan at kaayusan ng ating mahal na Islamic City of Marawi," he said.
[We have done a lot for solid waste management here in our city. We have heavy equipment and trucks in Marawi that are used to promote cleanliness here in Marawi. Part of your servant's priority is the cleanliness and order of our beloved Islamic City of Marawi.]
While the city government made some gains in addressing the SWM problem, Gandamra reminded his constituents to cooperate and do their share to address the problem of improper waste disposal and management.
"We all need to manage our solid waste in order to help our sanitation personnel make their work more manageable and less waste will be generated...Hindi nila [garbage collectors] kakayaning mag-isa ang kanilang trabaho kung hindi tayo tutulong," he further said.
[They (garbage collectors) can't do their job alone if we don't help.]
The city's Central Material Recovery Facility was recently opened to cater to loads of recyclable wastes from all barangays in the city. The said facility includes an administration building, overhauling area, warehouse and storage, and powerhouse with supply, delivery, and a standby power/generator set. This was funded through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management - Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program and implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with the city government.
To complete the SWM infrastructure project in the city, Gandamra said the construction of the sanitary landfill is now underway. (APB/PIA-Lanao del Sur)
