By Alex Romeo R. Fernandez
Dagupan City -- This city today conferred awards to personnel of the waste management division, local community groups and hospitals for their exemplary performance particularly in the implementation of the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy.
The awardees were Luis Vallejos, best foreman; Marcos C. Flores, outstanding streetsweeper; Ernesto F. Vidal Jr., outstanding hauling driver; Ernesto S. Velasco, leadership award, Joselito C. Dizon, outstanding dumpsite personnel; Israel F. Nicolas, outstanding enforcer and inspector; Jaime A. Biay, sterling performance as dumpsite foreman and Michael John M. Ubando, merit award.
Multi-tasking award went to Alberto Solano, Loreto B. Carrera, Nestor N. Fontanilla, and Oscar N. Torres, while pioneer award for hospital waste inspection went to Alma G. Natividad and Antonio C Esteves Jr.
Meanwhile, special award for best effort and practices were given to barangays 1 and 2, Tebeng, Bolosan and Lomboy; barangay Herrero-Perez garnered the award for outstanding barangay in the implementation of cleanliness.
Special award for consistent healthcare waste segregation and proper handling were received by the Region 1 Medical Center, Luzon Medical Center and Nazareth General Hospital.
Communication group DeltaCom received a special award for program support and was the sole volunteer group awarded.
Several officers of the 54th Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Marines, based in Camp Tito Abat in Manaoag, were also recognized for their assistance in the Operation Zoomlion, named after the bulldozer lent to the city and operated by the Marines, to manage the dumpsite when the WMD’s heavy equipment broke down.
The Marines were composed of Col. Judy B. Vallejo, Capt. Rodnie Coronado and Roberto T. Morallos, Lt. Col. Joselito R. Tocaldo, Maj. Robert M. Magin, 1st Lt. Reynald P. Monredondo and Karl Mark D. Namocatcat, Sms. Eusebio C. Mequin Jr., Ssg. Johnny A. Gumban, Lamberto N. Ablanido Jr. and Jerry M. Rocabo, Cpl. Rene E. Cordova and PCF Diosdado P. Manantan.
The awards were given during the regular flag raising ceremony Monday at the City Plaza exactly one year since the city started strict implementation of waste segregation policy, in compliance with the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (Republic Act 9003).
The effort of the WMD has resulted in the compliance of most households and business establishments.
One of the apparent results of the effort was the rehabilitation of the open dumpsite which has now been compacted to occupy smaller area, and a part of it has been converted to an eco-tourism park.
“Ang ginawang pagpaparangal ay tunay na pinag-aralan ng awards and selection committee ng WMD at may batayan at ganap na criteria,” WMD Officer-in-Charge Teddy E. Villamil Jr. said as he expressed hope that cash incentives will be given next year.
Villamil encouraged the public to cooperate with the government waste segregation and cleanliness campaign. (ANL/ARRF-PIA 1 Pangasinan)