Municipalities of Lobo, Mabini, San Luis, San Pascual, and Tingloy, all from the 2nd District of Batangas, underwent a training on conducting Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) held at Brgy. Bagalangit, Mabini, Batangas, Feb. 8-9.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas and the DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI) conducted the two-day training in response to the call for science and technology-based intervention from the Office of Congresswoman Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, 2nd District of Batangas Representative, to improve solid waste management in the second district.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENRO), Market Administrators, and Vendors’ Association Presidents from the five municipalities were the participants of the training. The participants were trained on the use of a simplified method of conducting WACS as an essential input in the preparation of their respective local government units’ (LGUs) ten-year solid waste management plans in compliance with Republic Act (RA) 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
Technical experts from DOST-ITDI facilitated the training, which was divided into lectures and workshops. Dr. Myra L. Tansengco, Supervising Science Research Specialist, presented the basics of WACS, WACS procedures, WACS worksheets for non-households, initial planning, and formation of the WACS team. Mr. David Herrera, Senior Science Research Specialist, discussed the salient features of RA 9003 and the stratification classification of waste generators and facilitated the actual WACS dry-run.
Meanwhile, Ms. Maria Theresa C. Artuz, Science Research Specialist II, presented the health and safety guidelines for conducting WACS and the preparation of the WACS plan. To put into actual use all the principles discussed, Engr. Joven R. Barcelo, Science Research Specialist I, shared the sample size determination, worksheet preparation, end-of-pipe WACS, dry-run data, and facilitated the workshop on WACS worksheets for households. Various technologies for solid waste management developed by DOST-ITDI were also covered during the training.
According to the technical experts, the basic function of WACS is to provide baseline information for the LGUs’ monitoring and performance evaluation of solid waste management programs and activities. Hence, data from WACS can be used in setting targets and identifying appropriate programs and strategies for the specific needs of LGUs.
Participants were asked to submit a WACS plan for their municipality as training outputs. Cong. Luistro thanked DOST for conducting this training, which according to her, is essential to every LGU in formulating strategies, programs, projects, and activities that would improve their solid waste management.#
