COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM, through the Environment Management Services (EMS), conducted a Training on Design, Construction and Operation of Sanitary Landfill on 23-24 August 2022 in partnership with Ridge to Reef, Incorporated, an environmental consulting firm that offers expert and specialized environmental services.
Participants were the different partners of EMS-MENRE in the promotion of Solid Waste Management Plan, such as the representatives of Local Government Units (LGUs) in the five provinces of BARMM and the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG).
In his welcome message, Provincial ENRE Officer of Maguindanao For. Lauban S. Abdul shared the importance of an SLF and highlighted that “Sanitation should start in our homes, and we should set as a model to our family and neighbors and abide by the rules mandated in the Republic Act No. 9003.”
Environment Minister Akmad A. Brahim graced the event, gave an inspirational message to the participants, and commended the EMS, PENREO-Maguindanao, and the LGUs for their valuable collaboration and contribution in promoting RA 9003.
“Training without implementing what you have learnt is useless, and I hope you will impart your learning and can be seen in your work,” Environment Minister Brahim told the participants.
EMS Director Ustadh Jalani M. Pamlian expressed his gratitude to the Chief of Solid Waste Management Division, Engr. Abdulmaoti A. Akmad, for his effort in promoting the solid waste management plan, maintaining collaboration with the LGUs, and initiating this training program. He further encouraged the representatives of the LGUs to establish Sanitary Landfill Facilities (SLFs).
“I am grateful for your presence today for the sake of our environment and in the service of the Bangsamoro,” EMS Director Pamlian said after he articulated the rationale of the training.
On the first (1st) day of the training, the participants immersed in different topics provided by the facilitators. Environmental Planner (EnP) Marie-Antonette Tautho introduced the landfill regulations in the Philippines. Engr. Diego B. Tautho facilitated the topics on understanding the purpose of developing a sanitary landfill facility (SLF), guide to planning and design, preparation of site development plan, and other necessary steps in the establishment of a landfill. Arch. Noel Punay discussed the guide in designing Category 1 and 2 Sanitary Landfills while Geo. Gabrielle B. Tautho provided inputs on pre-design activities such as selecting a suitable site and planning and design. The participants visited the SLF of LGU-Midsayap and the LGU-Pigcawayan Municipal ENR Office (MENRO) for SLF benchmarking on the second (2nd) day.
A day prior to the training, EMS Director Pamlian turned over guidebooks of Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) to ECOTawato, a partner organization of Advocates for Sustainable Liguasan (ASuL), to support the organization’s advocacy in fostering environmental protection. Said guidebooks will be distributed to barangays in Cotabato City to aid them in complying with RA 9003.
