The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has strengthened the capacity of the local government units (LGUs) from Laguna to reassess their solid waste management plans.
The DOST-Industrial Technology and Development Institute, in partnership with the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) Laguna, held a two-day webinar on the conduct of Water Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) with 14 LGUs from Laguna as participants last May 18-20.
“Through the expertise of DOST-ITDI, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENROs) from Siniloan, Paete, Magdalena, Luisiana, Pakil, Majayjay, Kalayaan, Mabitac, Calauan, Los Baños, San Pablo, Sta Cruz, Rizal and San Pedro were equipped with necessary skills to conduct their WACS plans,” the DOST said in a statement issued on Monday, June 14.
It noted that the webinar is timely, considering that Republic Act No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act requires all LGUs to revisit their 10-year Solid Waste Management plans to make them responsive to the current situation in their respective localities.
“Learning outcomes from this webinar-training will be used by the local government units to comply to RA No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.”
During the webinar, the LGUs were taught "to determine appropriate sample sizes, identify sources of wastes from households to industrial establishments, and prepare a worksheet to be used for the preparation of their WACS plan.
DOST-Calabarzon’s Officer in Charge-Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Engr. Francisco Barquilla III urged the participants to “adhere to science-based solid waste management systems that are compliant with the law.”