A replication manual on one of the most note-worthy projects facilitated by the Cagayan de Oro City government through the Local Environment Planning and Management Project (LEPM) is a concretization of the Good Practices in Local Governance: Facility for Adaptation and Replication (GO-FAR) goal to provide other local government units the rudiments of successful environmental management techniques.

This replication manual on the Gusa solid waste management projects covers the basics of the project in a synthesis.

In summary, one of three model barangays chosen for the LEPM projects, the local government of Gusa is exemplary in the successful implementation of its Integrated Solid Waste Management Program (ISWMP). Fore planned to alleviate the quality of life among its populace through clean environment and the utilization of organic waste generated within the area, the project is a concretization of RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

Gusa, along the East coast of Cagayan de Oro City, is flanked by the river Bigaan and the Macajalar Bay to its East and North respectively; barangay Lapasan lines it to the west and barangay Indahag to the south. Outstanding efforts of the project implementers converge in the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) situated in Sitio Dao, Purok 3 of the barangay. This 1,000 square meter lot is not only destination to the biodegradable refuse of the 19 clusters in four demonstration puroks, namely puroks 6 and 7and later puroks 4 and 5; it also houses a pot and plot garden for organically grown and marketable produce of vegetables and ornamental plants.

 

Instrumental to these achievements is the unwavering commitment of the project’s primary stakeholders backed by faithful law obeisance. L-EPM trained organizers of the barangay attuned themselves to the immediate needs of their environs. Strategically, they linked the L-EPM project components to an already existent Barangay Self Sufficiency Program for Development (BSSPD) that also includes health and sanitation among its priorities. An educational tour to Marikina, Makati, the Senate, and Linamon also prepared the barangay organizers with workable information on management and governance. Part of their success formula is a strong advocacy by way of information, education, and communication (IEC). An intense information campaign ensued over the initial stage of the project implementation. Educated on the pros of waste segregation, the community was more than eager to do their share of segregating biodegrables from recyclables and residuals. Four-time violators of the RA 9003 were summoned to the barangay council and re-educated the basics of segregating. However, such a violation marks the offender a criminal record in his purok certification. Clearance from the violation is penalized at PhP300.00.

The barangay council initiated preparations for the ISWMP implementations through the Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee. With the community’s participation, the concerted efforts of the Barangay Health and Environmental Brigade, the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) the technical and financial assistance of the L-EPM, the bases were covered. No later than 2001, the implementers set up for their seven-fold methodology:

• identification of a collection schedule and transport system,
• introduction of SWM practices to four pilot puroks,
• selection of suitable location for an MRF
• selection of technically suitable and economically feasible composting method,
• organization of competent personnel to manage and maintain the composting process,
• utilization and distribution of compost, and
• recovery of recyclable and reusable materials.

In 1998, when the ISWM started, the barangay was recipient to the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Certificate of Recognition as initiators of a community-based waste segregation and material recovery and composting activity in line with the implementation of the RA 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act 0f 2000.  This and back to back Pachada Cagayan Awards in 1997 and 2000 by the city government are standing proofs to their achievements in the city’s clean and green environment drive. More than a boost to their morale, these awards blazed the trail for more achievements in the future.

More importantly, the project has a more resounding impact to the community and the local government. A clear shift in the culture can be seen among the people. More and more are coming to an awareness of his responsibilities in keeping the environment litter free. With every implementation of the sanctioning ordinances against violators of the segregation law comes the social obligation to look after their own garbage and contribute to progress. The barangay council, through time also developed a concrete mechanism towards addressing environmental issues. An efficient working group has been identified to take charge on every aspect of the implementation. The consistent channeling system among the WG allowed for a systematic problem to solution route.  

Over the four years that waste segregation is put to action in Gusa, the ISWMP has come full circle to achieving what it, in the first place, stands for-development. Both the community and the industries surrounding the area are participatory to the ISWMP implementation. The barangay council manifests good governance in managing the MRF under the barangay Solid Waste Committee. Food security is achieved through urban agriculture using only organic fertilizer produced by the compost plant. Finally, the ISWMP generated income through the sale of compost and their vegetable products in an established supermarket in the city.