The Department of Science and Technology Region 12 (DOST-12) and the local government unit of Makilala in North Cotabato joined hands to solve the growing solid waste problem in said town.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) titled “Technology Transfer on Organic Fertilizer Production Using the Bioreactor Technology” signed June 21 this year by DOST-12 Regional Director Zenaida P. HR Laidan and Makilala Mayor Rudy A. Caoagdan formalized the tie-up.
The partnership details a sound and solid waste management system that will permanently solve the mounting garbage problems of Makilala.
“We sought the help of DOST-12 after receiving a third and final warning from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to comply with RA 9003,” Caoagdan said.
He revealed that the LGU was troubled with solid waste disposal despite intensive public awareness campaign on waste segregation at the household level since last year.
The local government also opened a new dumpsite in Barangay Leboce to partially solve the community’s growing problem on waste disposal, but this did not fully address the concern.
Caoagdan recognized the need for a more permanent solution to include reduction of residual wastes and providing employment opportunities to his constituents through the creation of alternative livelihood sources. Through the technical assistance of DOST-12 and DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) for the design and construction of the bioreactor, the municipality looks forward to having a facility that will recycle the wastes generated by its residents into organic fertilizers.
DOST 12 assisted the LGU in the preparation of a project proposal that will help support the acquisition of a bioreactor for the recycling of biodegradables, which is estimated to be 65% of the total wastes generated by the municipality or approximately four tons daily.
The bioreactor is the first of the series of technologies for the municipality in this joint initiative. Recycling of non-biodegradable wastes like plastics, glass and others using the ITDI-DOST technology has also been programmed by DOST-12 for Makilala once the bioreactor is in place.
Last year, DOST-12 conducted an awareness seminar among the town’s barangay officials regarding proper waste segregation and recycling. -30- Normina Pahm, S&T Media Service, DOST-12
