By Leonardo Micua
The Dagupan City government, led by Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, is intensifying its push for full waste segregation by urging strong cooperation from businesses and the private sector in implementing the city’s “No Segregation, No Collection” policy.
This was emphasized during a Conference on Waste Segregation organized by the city’s Waste Management Division on Monday, February 3, at Emerald Hall, CSI Stadia, attended by representatives from hotels and restaurants, schools, malls, hospitals, and transport groups, along with experts from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).
Discussions focused on the closure of Dagupan’s decades-old dumpsite in Bonuan, which is only few meters away from the sea; Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, public health and sanitation concerns, and the responsibilities of various sectors in environmental protection.
Mayor Fernandez stressed that proper waste segregation at the source is critical to the entire waste management system, noting that no equipment or facility can correct improperly segregated waste. She emphasized that all businesses, regardless of size, are required to comply.
To support improved waste collection, the city has acquired seven new garbage trucks, six mini color-coded trucks, a loader, two backhoes, and 90 garbage bins to be distributed across all barangays. Earlier, on January 26, the city also met with officials from its 31 barangays to strengthen coordination and develop long-term waste management solutions.Leonardo Micua
DENR-EMB officials cited studies showing the Philippines as one of the top three contributors to global waste, generating an estimated 21.8 million tons of garbage annually.
City councilors, barangay officials, and key environment and sanitation officers expressed support for the initiative, which the city government said is part of its continuing effort to ensure a clean, safe, and sustainable environment for all Dagupeños.