TACLOBAN CITY– The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the region, in collaboration with its provincial office and the office of 4P’s Minority Floor Leader Marcelino Libanan, is spearheading the establishment of a solid waste management facility in Barangay Mantang, Taft, Eastern Samar.
This initiative marks a pioneering effort to introduce a state-of-the-art facility in the region, aimed at converting waste into valuable resources.
“This project represents a significant step towards achieving sustainable waste management and environmental conservation in the region,” remarked John Glenn Ocaña, the officer-in-charge of the DOST-8.
“The facility will utilize advanced technologies to tackle environmental challenges posed by waste accumulation in coastal areas,” he emphasized.
Ocaña further detailed that the facility will feature cutting-edge machinery designed to process various types of waste, including a charcoal briquetting machine, a coir decorticator, and a bio-composter for organic fertilizer production from biodegradable waste. These technologies will support sustainable agriculture and offer an eco-friendly fuel alternative.
“The project aims to enhance operational efficiency through advanced waste processing technologies, provide technical consultancy for effective equipment utilization and maintenance, create employment opportunities for local residents, and organize cleanup drives along beaches and coastal areas to bolster environmental health and support eco-tourism initiatives,” he elaborated.
Recently, DOST-8 officials conducted a site inspection in Brgy. Mantang to finalize the facility’s location, along with initial consultative meetings with Rep. Libanan to discuss project implementation and coordination.
Upon successful implementation, the project seeks replication in other areas of Eastern Samar to promote environmental sustainability and community development through innovative solutions.
The project enjoys support from key stakeholders such as the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU).
This solid waste management facility project aligns with various United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Gender Equality (Goal 5), Innovation and Infrastructure (Goal 9), and Life on Land (Goal 15).
It also supports the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) by enhancing income-earning abilities and promoting environmental management, as well as the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) by focusing on economic development and environmental management.
Moreover, the project contributes to DOST’s strategic areas including job creation, health security, water security, environmental protection, climate and disaster resilience, and smart and sustainable communities.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
