Morong Integrated Solid Waste Management Sub-Project

Paradigm Shift in Environmental Management

Morong, Rizal – “Tapos na ba ang LISCOP? Sayang naman kung wala ng kasunod. Paano naman ang ibang bayan? Marami pang proyektong pwedeng maipatupad.” This pronouncement from Engr. Bayani Sunga is a manifestation of LISCOP’s contribution to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Morong in the province of Rizal. Morong, a 3rd Income Class Municipality, was considered as one of the dirtiest municipalities in the province as far as solid waste is concerned. We often see their name in newspapers due to complaints not only from other neighboring municipalities.

Setting direction towards effective environmental management. But that was before. Through LISCOP, the LGU has set the direction towards effectively environmental management.. The Laguna de Bay Watershed Environmental Action Planning (LEAP) Process accorded them a deeper appreciation of environment. They learned how to analyze problems in scientific way and find concrete solutions for specific problem. As a result of LEAP, the Integrated Solid Waste Management Facility was established as ammunition to the LGU’s fight against solid waste in a way that is also complaint to RA 9003, otherwise known as Ecological Solid Waste Management Ant. The project does not only seek to address the problem’s dire impression on them.

With this paradigm shift, the LGU is starting to project a good image and look forward to becoming a model in environmental management. Engr. Sunga further claimed that without LISCOP, their MRF project would not have come to its realization.

The LGU’s experience in LISCOP has opened their mind to a much bigger challenge and opportunity to engage in a more challenging task – to host the Provincial sanitary Landfill. With the learning and experiences they gained from LISCOP, particularly on the financial management and documentation, they ate now confident that they will be able to manage it.

Building “inter-agency cooperation” LISCOP has opened the door for LLDA-LGU partnership. Previously, they didn’t even feel its existence. With the project, they learned to appreciate and work with LLDA. They also learned how to work with other agencies like National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Municipal Development Fund Office (MDFO), among others. The concept of “inter-agencies cooperation” which was really new to the, provided them the confidence in dealings with people from the “outside world”.

The LGU's experience in LISCOP has opened their mind for a much bigger challenge and the opportunity to engage in a more challenging task - to host the Provincial Sanitary landfill and with the learning and experiences they gained from LISCOP, particularly on the financial management and documentation, they are now confident that they will be able to manage it.

Under the EUFS, an enterprise/industry is required to obtain discharge Permit (DP) from LLDA. DP is issued to a firm if (a) standards for all regulated effluent parameters including BOD are complied with; (b) user fees are paid; (c) no pending water pollution case and; (d) no arrearages and unpaid fines and penalties.

Recognizing the need for change.

The Morong MRF sub-project also experienced some delays. One of the most critical concerns was on the technical aspect of the sub-project particularly the positioning of the area. LLDA’s Construction Supervision and Monitoring (CSM) Specialist guided the LGU in every step of their way. The documentation related to financial management affected the tedious process which was again new them. The LGU patiently learned the nitty-gritty of the FM protocols which it has for all of its other project.

The facility started operate in September 2008. Considering all those leaning and experiences, the triumph over waste is within their reach. However, the work has just began. A lot of improvements are needed to be done to improve the environmental condition of the Municipality. But the most significant thing is that the LGU’s decision to take advantage of the LISCOP Project provided the impetus towards achieving a cleaner environment.