DENR-EMB7 calls for zero waste lifestyle, supports Siquijor's search for best zero waste barangay initiative

CEBU CITY— The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in Central Visayas called on people to practice a daily zero waste lifestyle and encouraged all local government units to come up with zero waste program citing Siquijor Island’s initiative for the search for best zero waste barangay.

“DENR Central Visayas needs you, let us make a positive impact on the environment towards a sustainable future, document and share your initiatives and best practices on waste management for others to replicate,” DENR-7 regional executive director Paquito Melicor, Jr. in a Facebook message said.

To celebrate zero waste month and reinforce the call for zero waste lifestyle, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB-7) came up with an “Environmental Video Para sa Kalikupan” contest in celebration of an eco-friendly and plastic-free Sinulog for Cebu City in line with the One Cebu Island Sinulog celebration last January 15 this year.

According to Cindylyn Pepito of the EMB7 Environmental Education and Information Unit that we may not fully eradicate the garbage haphazardly thrown anywhere but we could lessen its generation.  She bared that EMB-7 also came up with a campaign on “Practice Zero Waste Lifestyle Everyday” in five e-Card designs.

DENR-EMB7 also encouraged people and local government units to come with programs on zero waste and other related initiatives, as it cites and supports Siquijor Island on its 2nd year Search for Best Zero Waste Barangay initiated by the Provincial Government of Siquijor.

PENRO Siquijor said that the search showcases the best efforts of barangay officials and their constituencies working toward efficient reduction of plastic use in consonance with the “No Single-Use Plastic” Ordinance of the Province.

This year, public elementary schools are also included in the search to emphasize the importance of molding pupils to be good stewards of the environment.

PENRO Siquijor representative Senior Ecosystems Management Specialist Paul Tomogsoc, said the serious dedication of the local government units (LGUs) in the implementation of R.A. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and other environmental laws campaign in the Province of Siquijor can be gleaned through these efforts.

Tomogsoc bared that the team includes evaluators from other national government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) that conducted the on-site assessment last December 27-28, 2022 and on January 3-4, 2023.

Monetary rewards and recognition are awarded at the end of the month of January 2023 to celebrate Zero Waste Month with three major prizes and consolation/special awards in different categories for barangays and schools.

Zero waste advocacy campaign also promotes designing and managing products and processes in a way that reduces waste and pollution. This year’s theme is “Stepping Up Solid Waste Management Through Efficient Extended Producers Responsibility” calls for your action, Tomogsoc said.  (Photos: EMB7-FB/PIA-Siquijor FB)