SOUTH COTABATO — In a bid to bolster local waste management efforts, the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Operations (OPENRO) conducted two separate two-day planning workshops aimed at assisting barangays in the development of their respective 5-Year Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plans.
The first workshop was held on April 2–3, 2025, in Barangay Tinago, Norala, while the second was conducted on April 23–24, 2025, in Barangay Talahik, Surallah. Both events brought together barangay officials and stakeholders to begin formulating localized strategies for sustainable solid waste management.
The primary goal of the workshops was to provide technical support to barangay local government units (BLGUs) in crafting comprehensive SWM plans in line with the standards set by the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC). These plans are expected to serve as blueprints for managing household and community waste over the next five years.
OPENRO emphasized that the initiative aims to equip barangays with the knowledge and tools necessary to implement effective waste segregation, collection, recycling, and disposal practices. By doing so, the program seeks to promote environmental sustainability and improve public health outcomes across local communities.
The planning workshops form part of the provincial government’s broader commitment to strengthening grassroots environmental governance and ensuring compliance with Republic Act 9003, also known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.
