BANGUED, Abra (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) enhances  efforts  to raise public awareness on the implementation of the solid waste management in the province.
 
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Abra recently  conducted    Zero Waste Management Campaign at Bangued Municipal Hall which was attended  by Mayor Mila Valera and  barangay  officials of the town.
 
Ria Ta-a of  PENRO Abra discussed  the  Zero Waste Campaign which is an advocacy approach to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to systematically  reduce the volume and toxicity of generated waste.  It aims to guide people in lessening the volume of waste produced and to eliminate the toxicity in resulting waste.
 
She presented some practices on zero waste such as having a personal drinking bottle, avoiding the use of straws and styros, bringing own shopping bag or basket and the reuse of old clothes into eco bags or rags.
 
“There are many ways to reduce the volume of our day-to-day generated waste. If we practice these habits, we can really make a big impact on the solid waste management of Bangued.” Ta-a stressed.

Valera reminded the barangay officials to take this campaign seriously since the capital town is faced with challenges on solid waste management considering the amount of garbage being collected weekly.
 
“We need to remind the people again to segregate their own waste before dropping them off at pick up areas. We also need to inform them that they cannot just throw their garbages anywhere because it can help in the total management of waste here in Bangued,” she  said.
 
The  mayor  appreciated  this  activity of the LGU and the DENR as it informs and encourages the barangay local officials to lead the citizens  become pro-active in the zero waste campaign.
  
January is declared as Zero Waste Month under the Presidential Proclamation No. 760  signed by  then  President Benigno Aquino III.  This supports the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 that promotes environmental awareness and action among the people. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)