By HENRY EMPEÑO

BOTOLAN, Zambales — Community support to the “Pera sa Basura/ Junkshop on Wheels” program is gaining headway with residents turning in recyclable wastes during scheduled collection sorties in various barangays.

The program, which boosts the municipality’s thrust in pollution control, resource management, and environmental protection, encourages residents to get paid for collected recyclable wastes like paper, metal, glass, and plastic, said Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane.

According to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), which implements the project, residents in Barangay Bangcal turned in 59 kilos of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, cartons, tin cans, and broken bottles, as well as 124 assorted glass bottles in the first day of collection.

In Barangay San Isidro, meanwhile, the collection amounted to 210 kilos of PETY bottles, tin cans, carton, paper, iron, and glass shards, as well as 113 glass bottles.

The MENRO also reported initial collections of 4 kilos of shredded paper from the Human Resource Management Office of the local government unit, three kilos of tin cans in Barangay San Juan, and four kilos of plastic in Barangay Santiago.

The “Pera sa Basura/ Junkshop on Wheels” project was initiated by the municipal government late last year to promote recycling and reuse of waste materials in the community, as well as to provide a means for residents to make extra income.

Mayor Ebdane said the project aims “for a more efficient waste collection by giving residents an incentive to help in the proper sorting and disposing of wastes.”

Under the program, the MENRO pays out cash for recyclable wastes at P10 per kilo for dry and clean plastic wastes like candy and snack food wrappers, shampoo sachets, and plastic bags; P6 per kilo for PET bottles; and P4 per kilo for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic.

Meanwhile, white paper wastes are paid at P3 per kilo; mixed-color paper and carton at P1 per kilo; glass bottles from P.80 to P1.50 per kilo; broken glass (bubog) at P.50 per kilo; tin can, P8 per kilo; GI sheet, P9 per kilo; and aluminum cans at P45 per kilo.

The program, Mayor Ebdane said, is exclusive to Botolan residents, as well as business establishments, schools, and organizations.

In connection with the LGU’s waste management program, the MENRO has recently distributed 10 units of recyclable waste bins and one residual waste bin in strategic public places to help ensure proper waste segregation and management. The bins were installed in areas near the Botolan municipal hall, public market, local hospital and rural health centers, schools, and passenger terminals.

The Botolan LGU has also reminded residents of an order to deposit garbage only at designated collection points in various barangays for pick-up during scheduled collection periods, and for garbage to be segregated and placed in tightly secured sacks or garbage bags.

Violators of this order face fines and penalties under the Comprehensive Municipal Solid Waste Management Ordinance No. 04-2022. 