The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region 10 (DENR 10) turned-over the Trash Trap Project to recipient barangays Lapasan and Puntod, Cagayan de Oro City on February 17.

The project aims to help address the solid waste problem through the construction of two trash traps in the said barangays. The two units were installed by DENR 10 at Bitan-ag Creek, Lapasan on February 16. Each trash trap is made of approximately 57,000 used empty bottles from barangay residents under the Trash for Rice Campaign of DENR 10.

The formal turn-over of the project was led by DENR 10 Regional Executive Director (RED) Henry A. Adornado with Environmental Management Bureau, Region 10 Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo. Barangay Lapasan Chairman Julito D. Ogsimer and Puntod Chairman Rexie A. Tinampay represented by Councilor Job Bonjoc accepted the project funded by DENR Central Office through the Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan.

The program which was held at Sitio Lupsup, Barangay Lapasan was highlighted with the ceremonial turn-over of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000) financial assistance for the maintenance of the project from DENR which was awarded by RED Adornado to Chairman Ogsimer.

RED Adornado called on the city government, barangay officials, private sector and residents to help sustain the project. He added that caring for the environment is a shared responsibility even as he sought the active participation of fisherfolks and other concerned groups to unite and join the cause to manage the solid waste.

Lapasan Barangay Chairman Ogsimer assured the DENR 10 that the local government will sustain the project since it is the solution to the garbage problem. He said that Barangay Lapasan is the catch basin of all wastes from Bitan-ag Creek and the problem should be jointly solved by the various stakeholders.

For his part, Puntod Barangay Councilor Job Bonjoc, representing Barangay Chairman Tinampay, thanked the DENR for the project. He said the project will benefit the fisherfolks of Barangay Puntod. He further said the Barangay Council supports the implementation of Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 and the Clean Air Act.

In his message, City Local Environment and Natural Resources Officer Armen A. Cuenca thanked the DENR for the project. He disclosed that this year the City Government of Cagayan de Oro has funding for the construction of trash traps, and on-going construction of the recycling facility with plastic densifier to address the garbage problem.

He also announced that this time the city will strictly implement the “no segregation, no collection” policy.

Environmental Management Bureau Regional Director Reynaldo S. Digamo disclosed that their office is implementing the Adopt-an-Estero Program that seek partnership with public and private organizations on the clean-up of esteros. He said that the private sector can be tapped to assist in the project.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Misamis Oriental Ferdinand E. Dagulo was represented by Community ENR Officer Conrado M. Mahinay during the occasion. He acknowledged the support of the City Government of Cagayan de Oro and local government units of Lapasan and Puntod to the project.

Forester Mercedita G. Barbarona, Assistant Chief of the Conservation and Development Division of DENR gave the overview of the Trash Trap Project. She said the project is an offshoot of the Challenge for Change Program: CDO Limpyo Dagat Contest participated in by 12 coastal barangays of the city. The contest was able to mobilize the citizenry to conduct regular clean-up activities in their barangays. She emphasized that the trash traps were introduced by the RED Henry A. Adornado to strengthen the CDO Limpyo Dagat initiative. It is envisioned to create a ripple effect towards behavioral reform among the community.

The activity was graced with the presence of the Barangay Council of Lapasan, Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Ambassadors from Liceo de Cagayan University, officials from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, fisherfolks, barangay residents of Lapasan, Barangay staff from Puntod and DENR 10 personnel. RSCIG No. 02-034-2023 #TayoAngKalikasan