The stench emanating from the Inayawan landfill is Page One news again. Students wore masks in their classrooms as the odor was unbearable. Cebu Daily News reported that the city is now being investigated for violations of the conditions set by the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under the Environmental Compliance Certificate it issued in 1998, almost two decades ago.
But, when was the city and, for that matter, other urbanized cities in Cebu and in other parts of the country in full compliance of RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act? The law is not taken seriously by the local government units tasked to implement it to protect the people’s well-being and the environment, the officers and agencies tasked to supervise the law’s implementation and yes, by many of us. Thus, citizens were compelled in the past to send Notice to Sue to our authorities to propel action to implement the law and protect our land, air and water and health .
Inayawan landfill (which is an open dumpsite) symbolizes our gross and appalling apathy towards and disregard of our shared responsibility to protect our natural life support systems. It also epitomizes the changing political dynamics that naturally impact its management and operations. If there were successful innovations in the past, and waste management was reduced, why were the policies not sustained under a changed leadership?
For the citizens, to criticize government, of course, is the easiest thing to do. But, who are the source of the “discards” but us? As consumers, don’t we consider ourselves as polluters? We don’t care where the resources go for as long as they don’t linger in our homes and backyards. We cannot bear to see them in our midst. Obviously, the Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) mentality has not been eradicated despite various legislations and policies crafted to change the attitude of citizens and authorities alike to manage the “unwanted” in their lives.
The outcry on the stench at Inayawan is not the first nor will it be the last until sustainable solutions are crafted to look at how we are acquiring, using and managing materials which we call in Cebuano, “basura.”
Deodorizing the dumpsite is expensive and using incineration is a clear violation of our legal system’s ban against burning or incineration.
If only we take to heart and follow the principles and provisions set by RA 9003, which I consider one of the best laws crafted by our Congress, and if only we take the effort to study, understand and implement it, we will have a changed way of life that is truly sustainable and deserving of our future generation.
It is ironic that in the heart of the city, we have a vivid example of what that sustainable lifestyle is, in a popular tourist destination having a zero polluting carbon-footprint. The Eco-house of ardent environmental advocate and former Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival speaks for itself. It is anchored on a zero-waste philosophy which progressive and ecologically conscious municipalities and cities have taken to heart.
It hosts composting facilities, from biodegradables in the market, which are made into fertilizers; used softdrink cans are given new life and designed as decors and Christmas trees; gray water is filtered by plants that make them usable for watering the garden. The rainwater reservoir is also used as habitat of the fish and the plants in a floating bamboo raft.
Let us follow the hierarchy of waste avoidance, minimization, recycling, reuse, and only as the last step, the landfill for toxic and hazardous materials in our midst. Let us instill the mindset of Zero Waste.
As the GrassRoots Recycling Network declares in its website, Zero Waste “is a philosophy and a design principle for the 21st Century. It includes ‘recycling’ but goes beyond recycling by taking a ‘whole system’ approach to the vast flow of resources and waste through human society. Zero Waste maximizes recycling, minimizes waste, reduces consumption and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace.”
“Zero Waste is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.” https://www.grrn.org/page/what-zero-waste
Indeed, Zero Waste is the smart way to go – for our future.
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