PGLU LEADS WASTE ANALYSIS, CHARACTERIZATION STUDY TRAINING
By: Diana E. Jutba, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: GPC-ENRO | Date: August 24 and 26, 2021
The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) conducts training on Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) on August 24 and 26 via videoconferencing.
The said training is in preparation for the updating of the Provincial 10-Year Solid Waste Management plan. Representatives from the 20 component Local Government Units (LGUs) of La Union and technical personnel from the Provincial Government – Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) participated in the said training.
OIC-PG-ENRO and Supervising Environmental Management Specialist EnP. Annalyn Rosario-Valdez, highlighted the importance of research in environmental management saying, “What gets measured, gets managed, and gets done.”
Supervising Science Research Specialist Dr. Myra L. Tansengco of DOST-ITDI presented the basics of WACS and the procedures on the conduct of WACS for households and non-households. Science Research Specialist II Mario Josefino V. Capule presented the salient features of the Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and Stratification Classification of Waste Generators. Science Research Specialist II Maria Theresa C. Artuz presented the health and safety guidelines in the conduct of WACS and the preparation of WACS plan. Science Research Specialist I Engr. Joven R. Barcelo presented the sample size determination, worksheet preparation and end-of-pipe WACS. Various technologies on solid waste management developed by DOST-ITDI were also presented.
Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) is an essential tool for the development and updating of the 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plans of Local Government Units. It provides baseline information for LGUs to monitor and evaluate performance of solid waste management programs and activities. Data from WACS can be used in setting targets and identifying appropriate programs and strategies for the specific needs of the LGUs. It also aids in the designing of solid waste management facilities such as sanitary landfill facility, Materials Recovery Facility (MRF), and vermicomposting facility.
The PGLU through the PG-ENRO shall be conducting WACS for the updating of the provincial 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan and to gather baseline information of waste generation in La Union in aid for legislation.
