LU dreams to become zero-waste

BAGUIO CITY (January 16, 2025) -- La Union is dreaming to become zero-waste.

Towards such end, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) under Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David promises it has been implementing programs and projects seeking to foster community effort in reducing solid waste.

“January is Zero Waste Month, and this is a timely reminder to our KaPROBINSYAnihan to continue with our efforts to enjoin everybody in this environmental cause,” Gov. Ortega-David said, adding, “we at the Provincial Government introduce innovations in our aim to go zero waste”.

She cited the “Sukat Bukel” project, literally “to exchange seeds” launched in 2019 where residents bring their scrap fruit seeds to the Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), and get kilos of rice in return.

“This has significantly reduced organic waste, which helped de-clog our landfills in the province,” Environment Officer Analyn Valdez said.

The collected scrap seeds are used to maintain the provincial nurseries, where they grow various endemic tree seedlings such as narra, avocado, tamarind, and cacao.

In 2024, about 254 individuals joined the project. “We collected over 1,100 kilos of different native forest and fruit seeds last year. In exchange, we dispensed more than two thousand kilos of rice,” Valdez said. Other participants opted to get tree seedlings such as calamansi and grafted rambutan, instead of rice.

“Given the number of the beneficiaries, we can say that the project is effective and we are keen to make it sustainable,” she added.

Most fruit seeds collected were Cacao, Guyabano, Atis, Mango, Pomelo, Jackfruit, and Guyabano.

“Single-use plastic-free province”

While, the Provincial Government is also enforcing the 2023 Plastic Code of La Union geared towards making La Union a single-use plastic free province.  This initiative seeks to mitigate the negative effects of plastic on the environment and promote sustainable practices.

The ordinance imposed the ban of utilizing single-use plastics and polystyrene products in all business establishments in the province. Under the ordinance, it is prohibited to use plastic forks, spoons, cups, plates, straw, food containers and products made of styrofoam.

Gov. Ortega-David emphasizes, “we continue to intensify our information education campaign and we encourage our province mates to use alternatives to plastic.”

“Clean tourist areas”

With the increasing number of tourist arrivals in La, the environment office focuses on maintaining cleanliness in the key tourist destinations and coastal areas.

The PG-ENRO in collaboration with the different local government units continue to monitor the giant trash bins installed in the popular destinations including the Urbiztondo surfing area in San Juan; Bilagan Road in Santol; Baluarte Watchtower in Luna; Immuki Island in Balaoan; San Carlos beach in Caba; and Agoo Eco Park.

“We underscore our thrust on environmental sustainability that is why we encourage our visitors and locals to properly dispose of their trash to preserve the beauty of our tourist spots,” Gov. Ortega-David stresses.

As part of enhancing the province’s solid waste management, PGLU, in cooperation with a private sector namely Project Hope and Century Tuna’s Save our Seas Project, launched the Palit Basura Program where residents exchanged their earned recyclable bottles and solid wastes to canned goods.

About 8, 639.35 kilos of polyethylene bottles and solid wastes were collected in the said program last year which benefited more than 400 beneficiaries in exchange of 10, 997 canned goods.

“With these initiatives, PGLU proposes to develop more relevant programs and projects on the environment for the whole year to foster ecological preservation and environmental sustainability,” ensuring a greener future for the next generations to come, the governor further emphasizes.

This, she Ortega-David reiterates, a production of solid waste inevitably increases,
this ecological issue is addressed through the concerted efforts by the government, residents, the private sector, and all stakeholders, “aligned to the spirit of La Union Probinsyanihan”