EMB 8 and REC Eastern Visayas Lead the Regional Environmental Summit 2017

In celebration of the month of November as the National Environmental Awareness

Month, National Clean Air Month, and National Climate Change Consciousness Week on the
21st to 25th, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 8 together with the
Regional Ecology Center (REC) spearheaded another environmental summit for year 2017
held on November 15-16, 2017 at the Municipal Hall, Palo, Leyte. The big event, which was
anchored on the theme “Ako, Ikaw, Tayo ang Kalikasan,” was participated by officials from
local government units, representatives from government agencies, nongovernment
organizations, academe, industries and other stakeholders.

EMB 8 Regional Director Letecia R. Maceda officially opened the two-day activity.
In her message, she reminded everyone of our capacity for positive change for the
environment. Meanwhile, former DENR 8 Regional Director Arleigh J. Adorable
enlightened the participants on the background, objectives, and significance of the annual
conduct of environmental summit in Region 8.

To inform the participants on how we fare in relation to SWM implementation, Ms.

Maribel B. Munsayac, Chief, Finance and Administrative Division, presented the Updates
and Status of SWM Implementation in Region 8. She congratulated and commended
compliant LGUs while encouraging the non-compliant ones to immediately start
implementing the mandatory requirements of the law.

To realize the main objective of the Summit which was to equip local government
units on implementing solid waste management strategies and other environmental programs,
resource persons from the EMB Central Office, National Solid Waste Management
Commission (NSWMC), technology providers, and compliant LGUs in Region 8 shared their
expertise to the participants.

Engr. Ronald O. Talion from the Filipino Inventors and Innovators Society (FIIS)
discussed how LGUs can harvest fuel from waste and provide environment-friendly
remediation for landfills.

Dr. Merlinda A. Palencia, COO of Envigor Natural Products Mfg. Inc., shared a
useful technology on eco-friendly septic management and odor neutralization. The
technology was said to effectively treat leachate and odor in disposal facilities.

Meanwhile, Alma P. Ferareza from the EMB Solid Waste Management Division and
National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) presented the Ombudsman
Program in relation to Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of
2000. She disclosed the list of LGUs nationwide that were filed with complaints at the
Environmental Ombudsman for violating Section 37 of RA 9003 mandating the closure of
open dumpsites. Her topic drew mixed reactions among the participants.

To inspire and bring motivation to the participating LGUs, officers from model
LGUs Tabontabon, Javier, Guiuan, and Sulat shared their best practices on Materials
Recovery Facility (MRF) operation, segregation-at-source and segregated collection, and
closure of open dumpsite, respectively.
 To signify their commitment, the participants wrote their pledge of commitment to the
environment. They likewise engaged in an open forum wherein they aired their concerns and
questions which were immediately accommodated and addressed by the concerned resource
person and EMB official.

Before the event ended, LGUs were informed that the National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA) shall accept SWM-related project proposals for CY 2019
funding. Most of the participating LGUs immediately submitted their proposed projects and
the corresponding cost estimates.

Regional Director Maceda warmly welcomes the Former DENR 8 Regional Director Arleigh J. Adorable
participants to the Summit. briefed the participants on the objectives and
significance of the event.

Hon. Mayor Rustico Balderian passionately shares Engr. Ronald O. Talion from the Filipino Inventors and
his insights on solid waste management and various Innovators Society (FIIS) discusses how LGUs can
SWM-related best practices in Tabontabon, Leyte. harvest fuel from waste and provide environment-
friendly remediation for landfills.
The participants of the two-day summit attentively listen to every lecture.