Five years of hardwork not wasted

Jagna launches ESWM program

FIVE years of rigid technical and legislative preparations did not go to waste. Cascading the Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Act of 2000, the Local Government Unit of Jagna here showed sincerity in its drive for local adaptation of the solid waste management program by launching the activity at the Jagna Public Market Kiosk, August 15. The activity started with a Holy Mass at the St. Michael the Archangel Parish Church officiated by Fr. Diosdado Ranara early in the morning. A one-hour caravan was immediately made within the collection areas of Pangdan, Tejero, Poblacion, Pagina, Looc, Canupao and Canjulao barangays to formally inform the stakeholders of their primary duty, which is segregation of wastes at source. During the program at the kiosk, all presentations and speeches boiled down to the theme of the day, "Lawas Panggaon, Basura Atimanon".

Mayor Exuperio Lloren called the people to help in achieving the vision for Jagna, a town which is to be anchored primarily on sustainable development. "While we aim to make Jagna the leading center of trade and sustainable agro-industrial-tourism municipality in Southeastern Bohol , let us also be committed in our desire to implement proper solid waste management program," Mayor Eksam said. "Comprehensive development is not just infrastructures on the rise but it is likened to a big house so spic and span that all household members are economically secured and healthy," the Mayor analogized.

The Mayor asked all stakeholders to keep united and committed as he gratefully acknowledged Vice Mayor Teofisto Pagar Sr and all the members of the 5th Sangguniang Bayan for their pro-active legislative measures. He likewise commended the efforts and active labors of the Technical Working Group and all implementors, the EcoGov headed by Ms. Chit Bigornia, the Bohol Environment and Management Office led by Engr. Rene Villaber, the Provincial Government, the Metro Jagna Barangay Captains, the youths and the Tejero Women's Association.

Ms. Chit Bigornia of EcoGov informed the public that Jagna has been tapped as the pilot municipality for Social Marketing Communication Program on Solid Waste Management. "If the social marketing program would be realized, Jagna will be the only municipality in the country to produce communication means and materials at source since we are not relying on the talents and resources from Manila ," Ms. Bigornia said. She added to inform that the active support of the LGU officials, the active members of the TWG and the cooperative stakeholders both from the Church and from the ordinary constituents are the reasons for being considered a pilot area. Capping the day's activities was the inauguration of the Municipal Central Composting and the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) located in barangays Pagina and Tejero respectively. Jagna parish priest Msgr. Orencio Jubac, E.V. officiated in the blessing of the said facilities.

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