Dumping of solid wastes can cause the spreading of diseases and may create a serious negative environmental impact to land and water pollution, obstruction of drains and loss of biodiversity. Untreated agro-wastes are underutilized and disposed of either by burning, dumping or unplanned landfilling. Agro-wastes such as water hyacinth have a good amount of proteins, sugars, and minerals.
In response to this, a MOA signing between the Department of Agriculture (DA) through its Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the City Government of Taguig was conducted at the Mercado del Lago Restaurant in Bicutan, Taguig City. This Memorandum of Agreement is for the Establishment of a Decentralized Agro-Waste Treatment and Composting Facility to Ensure Clean Water and Sustainable Land Management in Taguig City.
The Project aims to:
· Introduce sustainable measures in reducing the volume of floating water hyacinth in Laguna lake;
· Establish a water hyacinth treatment facility to produce raw compost for rejuvenating shorelands;
· Provide additional source of income for fisherfolks and communities; and
· Comply with local ordinances on waste management and cleaner environment.
· Engage the participation of stakeholders in lake development and sustainable resources management through planting of 20,000 high-yielding and virus-free bamboos alongside the 16-km lakeshore in Taguig to address soil erosion
Present during the MOA Signing was Department of Agriculture Usec. Cheryl Marie N. Caballero who represented DA Sec. William D. Dar to signify support of the DA to the Project, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Director Dr. Juan Albaladejo and BSWM OIC Director Sonia M. Salguero who gave her speech and averred, “We at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management will be working hard for the fulfillment of what we want to do with the facility in ensuring clean water and sustainable land management.”
Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano also delivered his message and stated, “We really believe that Agriculture is such an important and essential component of development of our city.
Balewala ang pag-asenso kung wala yung sustainability. Naniniwala kami na, Sustainability and Innovation is at the core of development”.
Notably, the signatories of the MOA were Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Rep. Lani Cayetano, Mayor Lino Cayetano and DA-BSWM OIC Director Sonia M. Salguero. Engr. Ed Alberto and Mr. Dominciano Ramos of BSWM witnessed the signing. The media was also present to cover this milestone event. # # # (Jose Paolo F. Suministrado / DA-BSWM Information Unit)
